environment

• Air and water pollution can influence development and be a major source of ill health. There is growing concern about the impact of air quality, both indoors and outdoors, and the contribution it makes to causing particular illnesses such as asthma and other respiratory problems.
• The environment may contain many chemicals from vehicle exhaust systems and industrial emissions. Household pollutants include mould and some cleaning products that emit poisonous gases.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, this leads to breathlessness, wheezing, chesty cough and frequent chest infections.
• High levels of particle pollution have been associated with higher incidents of cardiovascular disease, can cause damage to the immune system and cause an increased risk of infections.
• Some air pollutants contain carcinogens which can increase an individual’s risk of cancer.
• Evidence suggests that living in poor housing increases the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular disease, as well as anxiety and depression.
• Overcrowded housing may limit people’s access to washing, cooking and cleaning facilities-also infection is spread more easily in these conditions with inadequate sanitary provision.
• There may also be issues with lack of access to outdoor exercise and green spaces in some areas, particularly in low income areas, reducing opportunities for physical outdoor activity.
• Children living for extended periods in overcrowded housing tend to have problems with their growth rate and an increased risk of heart disease later in life.
• Poor quality housing, especially for vulnerable adults and older people, can lead to stress which can cause high blood pressure, this results in damage to artery walls and an increased risk of strokes.
• Cold homes and homelessness are major causes of hospital admissions to treat hypothermia (excessively low body temperature, below 35 degrees).
• The number of families living in fuel poverty is rising. Families with low incomes are unable to afford to heat their homes, especially in older properties.
• Many people over the age of 65 spend more time at home and factors such as poor heating and lack of insulation have been linked to a rise in winter deaths.
• Living in substandard housing with rising fuel bills can lead to disturbed sleep patterns and poor quality housing may cause stress, anxiety, depression and mental health issues.
• Living in a deprived area not only includes the house you live in but also the community and this can cause negative impacts to development.
• A deprived community may have: higher crime rates and vandalism, lack of educational services, poor schooling, and high levels of pollution.
• Living in remote areas may mean that there is no public transport or unreliable transport services which can result in cancelled or missed appointments. This can have a negative impact on the health and well-being of vulnerable people or families with young children.