Summary CMH1503 learning unit 1 b

Learning unit 1: continued

South African status on Environmental health

If one looks around in our respective areas where we live, there is systemic but gradual
decline of the status of environment, which impact negatively on the health and well-
being of the population, it could be through air pollution, poor waste management etc.
In some work places, there are also such factors like poor ventilation.

In the literature, the South African Status on environmental health is outlined the CSIR
briefing report (Wright and Godfrey 2010). The report talked about South Africa faced
with the quadruple burden of diseases (HIV and AIDS, Maternal and child mortality,
Non-communicable diseases e.g. HPT and Cancers, Trauma and Injury). However, the
following three main diseases that are influenced by the environmental factors
were highlighted;

 Diarrhoea
 Respiratory diseases
 Malaria

I hope you are familiar with above conditions and the causes thereof, if not please let
me know.

Health outcomes of concern in South Africa are the following

 Water-borne diseases
 Respiratory tract infections
 Lung diseases
 Vector-borne diseases like Malaria
 Food borne diseases
 Chemical poisoning

Approximately 2 years back South Africa was trending due a number of people who
died due to Listeria. Looking at the above health concerns, under which category would
Listeria fall?

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