Why is maintenance of environmental health quality important for human health? What ideals from the Christian Worldview help us to make concern for environmental health paramount and meaningful?

week 1

Why is maintenance of environmental health quality important for human health? What ideals from the Christian Worldview help us to make concern for environmental health paramount and meaningful?

wek 2


Describe three of today’s most important environmental health issues, either domestic or international. How are these health issues affected by population growth?

week 3


Consider the following statement:
“Transportation policy is health policy.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Justify your response.











wek 2

Why are studies on the health effects of smoking among individual who smoke not a concern of environmental epidemiology? Explain the reason why exposure to secondhand cigarette smoke is a concern of this discipline.
diss 2
Explain why you and your classmates may have a different response to the same exposure to a chemical. Provide a specific example.




week 3
What are some examples of environmental sources of exposure of populations to toxic heavy metals? What factors can exacerbate the effects of toxic exposures on populations with low socioeconomic status?


diss 2
What types of injury of public health concern are associated with exposure to each of the different forms of radiation? How does the risk of each injury vary with the dose of the radiation in question?







week 4

How do vectors play a role in the transmission of disease? What are some procedures for control and prevention? Provide a specific example.



diss 2
Unlike other toxins or contaminants with which the public can come into contact, pesticides are intentionally applied to food, living spaces, and people. What are some of the risk-benefit issues in the application of pesticides? Is the risk justified? Explain your position.




weeek 5

Explore the following statement: “The answer to a waterborne disease outbreak is to ‘shock’ chlorinate.” What health risks would be mitigated with this approach? What new health risks might emerge from the application of large doses of chlorine?


What actions can be taken to lower air pollution emissions? Consider actions that can be taken at the individual, community, and government levels.



week 6
What are the different types of solid waste and how are they identified? What are the different approaches to solid waste management?



diss 2
What are some alternatives to sewer systems for disposal of human waste? To what extent could these alternatives replace municipal sewer systems? Discuss their advantages and disadvantages.



week 7


Describe the categories of hazards that may be present in foods and suggest methods for their control and prevention.

How do food recalls contribute to the safety of our nation’s food supply? What do you think are some strengths and weaknesses of this process?

week 8
In the United States, occupational health regulations are set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). What are some of the major factors that limit the effectiveness of these regulations?



diss 2
What is the difference between an unintentional injury and an accident? Why is it important to make the distinction? Discuss some strategies for highlighting the difference between accidents and injuries.


diss 3

The risks of occupational injury and disease are especially high in poor countries. Identify a specific occupational health hazard in a developing nation and recommend a strategy for prevention.

assignments

week 1

week 1

Details:
In Silent Spring, Rachel Carson uses a very powerful narrative framework to describe the world as it exists in harmony and bliss before the fall into the massive use of poisons in the environment. In 1,000-1,250-words, summarize the key issues addressed in this publication; discuss how this publication has contributed to current knowledge and understanding of the dynamic between the environment and health; and explain the relationship between the environment and health.
Refer to the assigned readings to incorporate specific examples and details into your paper. You are required to use a minimum of three additional references in your paper.
Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a grading rubric. Instructors will be using the rubric to grade the assignment; therefore, students should review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations for successful completion of the assignment.You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center. Only Word documents can be submitted to Turnitin.








week 2

Environmental Epidemiology Assessment

1) Define the following terms: (15 points)

a) Environmental epidemiology:

b) Natural experiment:

c) Descriptive epidemiology:

d) Odds ratio:

e) Relative risk:

2) Explain the work of John Snow using the methodology of the natural experiment. (10 points)


3) List the reasons why epidemiology is important to research studies of environmental health. What are some of the important limitations of the epidemiologic approach with respect to the study of environmental health problems? (15 points)


4) Explain how ecologic analysis is used to study the health effects of air pollution. Provide examples of uncontrolled factors that may affect ecologic study results. (15 points)


5) Describe the importance of the contributions of Sir Percival Pott to environmental health, particularly in the field of cancer prevention. (10 points)


6) Describe Hill’s criteria for disease causality. (10 points)


7) Explain the epidemiologic triangle and how it can be applied to environmental health. (10 points)


8) Explain the difference between descriptive and analytic epidemiology. Provide examples of how both types of study design are utilized in the field of environmental health. (15 points)




To calculate score, take _____total/ 100 x 10




week 3


Details:
This assignment is in two parts:
Part 1: Exposure Assessment Case Study
Read “Cross-sectional Exposure Assessment of Environmental Contaminants in Churchill County, Nevada” by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2003). Use this case study to complete the Exposure Assessment form.
Part 2: Risk Assessment Case Study
Read “Illness Associated with Drift of Chloropicrin Soil Fumigant Into a Residential Area – Kern County, California, 2003.” Use this case study to complete the Risk Assessment assignment.




Risk Assessment

(50 points)

Directions: Use the case study to provide answers to the following questions.

Case Study:“Illness Associated with Drift of Chloropicrin Soil Fumigant into a Residential Area—Kern County, California, 2003,” located on p. 154 of the textbook

1. Issue Identification
a. What is causing the identified problem?
b. Why is the problem a problem?
c. How was the problem initially identified?
d. What are the public perceptions of the hazard?
2. Hazard Identification
a. What types of adverse health effects might be caused by the problem?
b. How quickly and for what duration might the problem be experienced?
3. Dose Response Assessment
a. Evaluate both qualitative and quantitative toxicity information to estimate the incidence of adverse effects occurring in humans at different exposure levels.
4. Exposure Assessment for the Relevant Population
a. Determine the frequency, magnitude, extent, duration, and character of exposures to the hazard.
5. Risk Characterization
a. Detail the nature and potential incidence of effects for the exposure conditions described in the exposure assessment.











Exposure Assessment Case Study

(50 points)

Directions: After reading the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention case study, answer the following questions.

Case Study:“Cross-sectional Exposure Assessment of Environmental Contaminants in Churchill County, Nevada” by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.t http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/clusters/fallon/factsheet.pdf

1) Identify the agent:_____________________________________________________

2) What type of agent is described?
biological
chemical

3) Source:
anthropogenic non-anthropogenic
area point
stationary mobile
indoor outdoor

4) Transport/carrier medium:
air
water
soil
dust
food product item

5) Exposure pathways:
eating contaminated food
breathing contaminated air
touching a contaminated surface
drinking contaminated water

6) Exposure concentration:
mg/kg (food) mg/litre (water)
ug/m3 (air) ug/cm3 (contaminated surfaces)
% by weight fibres/m3 (air)

7) Exposure route:
inhalation dermal contact
ingestion multiple routes

8) Exposure frequency:
continuous intermittent
cyclic random
rare

9) Exposure duration:
seconds minutes
hours days
weeks months
years lifetime

10) Exposure setting:
occupational non-occupational
residential non-residential
indoors outdoors

11) Exposed population:
general population
population subgroups
individuals

12) Geographic scope:
site specific
local regional
national international










global











week 4

Details:
In this two-part assignment.
Part 1: Illustration
Illustrate a particular environmental agent and its effect on the environment. You may use a flow chart, diagram, pictorial, or other instructor-approved format. The illustration should show:

1. The vector-borne disease.
2. The pathway or chain of the disease.
3. The factors that contribute to the spread of the disease.
4. The effect of the disease.

Part 2: Narrative
In a short narrative (750 words maximum), do the following:

1. Identify the vector-borne disease.
2. Explain in detail the factors contributing to global warming.
3. Describe the effect of global warming on the incidence and prevalence of the disease.
4. Utilize a minimum of three references to support your claims.

Prepare the narrative portion of the assignment according to APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a grading rubric. Instructors will be using the rubric to grade the assignment; therefore, students should review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations for successful completion of the assignment.
You are required to submit teh narrative portion of this assignment to Turnitin. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center. Only Word documents can be submitted to Turnitin.

week 5

Due Date: Aug 27, 2014 23:59:59 Max Points:100

Details:
This is a two-part assignment. Part 1 is a narrative report and Part 2 is a public service health announcement. You will identify and explain the effect of the water supply on the development of cholera in developing countries.
Part 1: Report
In a report of 750-1,000-words, address the following:

1. The agent responsible for cholera.
2. The symptoms, treatment, and diagnosis of cholera.
3. Relationship between the water supply and cholera.
4. Public health efforts to reduce cholera illness in developing countries.

Utilize a minimum of three references to support your claims.
Prepare this part of the assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
Part 2: Public Service Health Announcement
Develop a public service health announcement. The PSHA should:

1. Have a clear message.
2. Be targeted toward a specific audience.
3. Be persuasive in nature.
4. Grab the viewer's attention.
5. Be brief.
6. Support statements with evidence.
7. Contain photos and text (voice and music are optional).
8. Observe all copyright laws.

You may use iMovie, iPhoto, Photostory for Windows, Windows MovieMaker, Adobe Premiere Elements, or Web 2.0 tools such as JayCut or Animoto.
Post the PSHA to TeacherTube or SchoolTube. If you do not have an account, create one and post the PSHA.
APA format is not required for the PSA, but solid academic writing is expected.
This assignment uses a grading rubric. Instructors will be using the rubric to grade the assignment; therefore, students should review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations for successful completion of the assignment.
You are required to submit the report portion of this assignment to Turnitin. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center. Only Word documents can be submitted to Turnitin.



week 7


Details:
The Hazard Analysis Critical Control Plan (HACCP) is a system used to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses in the United States. Preventing problems from occurring is the paramount goal underlying any HACCP system. The principles employed in the development of HACCP plans meet the goal of preventing foodborne illnesses.
In a PowerPoint presentation of 5-10 slides, describe the history and application of the HACCP system, addressing the following:

1. Provide a brief history of HACCP.
2. Describe the steps involved in the development and implementation of a HACCP plan.
3. What are the advantages of using HACCP rather than traditional food safety programs in retail food establishments?
4. Describe critical control points and critical limits as they are used in HACCP programs and what happens when there is a deviation.
5. Why is monitoring an important step in the HACCP system?

You are required to use a minimum of three additional references in preparing your presentation.
APA format is not required, but solid academic writing is expected.
This assignment uses a grading rubric. Instructors will be using the rubric to grade the assignment; therefore, students should review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations for successful completion of the assignment.
You are not required to submit this assignment to Turnitin, unless otherwise directed by your instructor. If so directed, refer to the directions in the Student Success Center. Only Word documents can be submitted to Turnitin.




wek 8

Details:
A health impact assessment (HIA), described in Chapter 4 of your textbook, is a process for describing and estimating the effects a proposed project or policy may have on the health of a population. For this assignment, imagine you asked asked to conduct a HIA for a proposed waste management facility in your community.
In a paper of 1,250-1,500-words address the following questions and issues:

1. Provide an overview and description of the stages of an health impact assessment. How is it different from other forms of assessment, such as an environmental impact assessment or a community health assessment?
2. What information would you need about the proposed project?
3. What information would you need about the community to understand the potential health effects?
4. What recommendations would you propose to promote positive health effects? What recommendations would you propose to mitigate adverse health effects?
5. Which decision makers would need this information? Why?

You are required to use a minimum of five additional references in your paper.
Prepare this assignment according to the APA guidelines found in the APA Style Guide, located in the Student Success Center. An abstract is not required.
This assignment uses a grading rubric. Instructors will be using the rubric to grade the assignment; therefore, students should review the rubric prior to beginning the assignment to become familiar with the assignment criteria and expectations for successful completion of the assignment.
You are required to submit this assignment to Turnitin. Refer to the directions in the Student Success Center. Only Word documents can be submitted to Turnitin.