Discuss how environmental factors can impact your health and where in the US is probably least impacted by negative environmental concerns

The Impact of Environmental Factors on Health

Environmental factors encompass almost every aspect of external influences on human health and wellbeing. This can range from air and water quality, noise and light pollution, toxins and pollutants in the environment, natural disasters, and climate change impacts. Environmental factors significantly influence the disease patterns and health outcomes of populations across the globe, putting certain groups of people, particularly those with lower socioeconomic status and certain geographical locations, at a particular risk.

Air Quality and Environmental Impact

One of the major environmental factors impacting health is air quality. Pollutants in the air, such as particulate matter, ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and carbon monoxide, have been linked to several health problems including breathing difficulties, lung cancer, heart conditions, and premature death. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 4.2 million people die each year due to exposure to outdoor air pollution, demonstrating the significant impact it can have on health. (World Health Organization, 2018).

Effects on Mental Health

Environmental factors can also have significant effects on mental health. Chronic exposure to stressful environments such as those with high levels of noise or light pollution can lead to problems such as sleep disorders, anxiety, depression, and cognitive impairments (Stansfeld, 2015).

Least Impacted Area in the US

In the United States, the regions least affected by negative environmental factors might be the less populated rural areas, such as the rural Midwest and the northernmost regions of New England. These regions often have better air quality due to less industrial and vehicular pollution and lower levels of noise and light pollution due to less urban development.

Caveats in Assessment

While these areas might be less physically impacted by environmental factors, it's worth noting that access to quality health care and other services is often lacking in rural areas, which can also impact overall health and wellbeing. Furthermore, these regions can be more susceptible to the impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather occurrences and changes in agricultural productivity (US EPA, 2017). Therefore, it's essential to consider a range of environmental factors when evaluating the impact on health, and not just those that are immediately apparent.