Environmental Health: Understanding Our Interconnected World

Environmental Science Grades High School 14:25 Video
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Lesson Description

This lesson explores how the environment affects human health, focusing on air and water pollution, neighborhood factors, environmental justice, and climate change. Students will analyze the impact of environmental determinants and consider solutions for a healthier, more equitable future.

Video Resource

How the Environment Affects Your Health: Crash Course Public Health #3

CrashCourse

Duration: 14:25
Watch on YouTube

Key Concepts

  • Environmental Determinants of Health
  • Air and Water Pollution
  • Environmental Justice
  • Climate Change
  • Social Determinants of Health

Learning Objectives

  • Define and differentiate between natural and built environments.
  • Identify sources and health impacts of air and water pollution.
  • Explain the concept of environmental justice and its importance.
  • Describe the effects of climate change on human health and vulnerable populations.
  • Analyze the role of social determinants of health in environmental health outcomes.

Educator Instructions

  • Introduction (5 mins)
    Engage students with the Chicago heat wave example and COVID-19 pandemic disparities. Briefly introduce the concept of environmental determinants of health.
  • Defining the Environment (5 mins)
    Discuss the difference between natural and built environments. Ask students to provide examples of each in their community.
  • Air Pollution (10 mins)
    Explain the sources and health impacts of air pollution, including particulate matter (PM). Discuss indoor and outdoor air pollution sources, such as car exhaust, construction, and gas-based cooking.
  • Water Pollution (10 mins)
    Explain the sources and health impacts of water pollution. Focus on contaminants like lead and PFAS. Discuss the difficulty of removing PFAS from water supplies.
  • The Neighborhood Factor & Environmental Justice (15 mins)
    Analyze the North Lawndale vs. South Lawndale case study to illustrate how neighborhood conditions affect health outcomes. Introduce the concept of environmental justice and discuss how marginalized communities are disproportionately affected by environmental pollution. Discuss the work of Dr. Robert Bullard.
  • Climate Change (10 mins)
    Explain the effects of climate change on human health. Discuss how climate change disproportionately affects vulnerable populations.
  • Review & Conclusion (5 mins)
    Summarize key concepts and discuss potential solutions for creating healthier environments. Introduce the social determinants of health as a factor in environmental health.

Interactive Exercises

  • Environmental Audit
    Students conduct an 'environmental audit' of their homes or school, identifying potential sources of air and water pollution, and suggesting improvements.
  • Community Mapping
    In small groups, students map their local community identifying areas of environmental concern such as proximity to industrial sites or areas with poor air quality. They should also map community assets such as parks or community gardens. Students will then discuss the distribution of these environmental burdens and benefits.

Discussion Questions

  • How does your environment impact your daily life and health?
  • What are some sources of pollution in your community?
  • Why are some communities more vulnerable to environmental hazards than others?
  • What steps can individuals and communities take to promote environmental justice?
  • How can we mitigate the health impacts of climate change?

Skills Developed

  • Critical Thinking
  • Data Analysis
  • Problem-Solving
  • Community Engagement
  • Environmental Awareness

Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1:

Which of the following is an example of a natural environment?

Correct Answer: A forest

Question 2:

Particulate matter (PM) is a major component of:

Correct Answer: Air pollution

Question 3:

Which of the following is a potential source of indoor air pollution?

Correct Answer: Gas-based cooking

Question 4:

PFAS, also known as 'forever chemicals', are a major concern in:

Correct Answer: Water pollution

Question 5:

Environmental justice aims to ensure that:

Correct Answer: All people and communities have equal protection under environmental laws.

Question 6:

Which of the following is NOT a likely effect of climate change?

Correct Answer: Decreased frequency of extreme weather events

Question 7:

The 1995 Chicago heat wave demonstrated:

Correct Answer: That infrastructure and community resources can significantly impact heat-related deaths.

Question 8:

Which of the following is an example of a built environment?

Correct Answer: A highway

Question 9:

Which organization defined environmental justice as the principle that all people and communities are entitled to equal protection of environmental and public health laws and regulations?

Correct Answer: Dr. Robert Bullard

Question 10:

What is the name for the change in average weather patterns in a region over a long period of time?

Correct Answer: Climate Change

Fill in the Blank Questions

Question 1:

The environmental factors that affect our health outcomes are called the environmental _______ of health.

Correct Answer: determinants

Question 2:

_______ is the stuff in the air that is harmful to the health of both humans and the planet.

Correct Answer: Air pollution

Question 3:

Tiny particles of dust or smoke in the air are called _______.

Correct Answer: particulate matter

Question 4:

When our water supply becomes contaminated with harmful substances, it is called _______.

Correct Answer: water pollution

Question 5:

PFAS are man-made pollutants sometimes called _______ chemicals because they don't break down naturally in the environment.

Correct Answer: forever

Question 6:

The absence of a connected _______ can put residents at risk of severe social isolation.

Correct Answer: community

Question 7:

American environmental justice activist _______ defines environmental justice as the principle that all people and communities are entitled to equal protection of environmental and public health laws and regulations.

Correct Answer: Dr. Robert Bullard

Question 8:

_______ is the change in average weather patterns in a region over a long period of time.

Correct Answer: Climate change

Question 9:

Our _______ environment is all that non-human made stuff around us like forests and mountains.

Correct Answer: natural

Question 10:

Our _______ environment is the environment we tend to think of as human made like our homes streets or even miniature golf courses.

Correct Answer: built

Educational Standards

EN.LS2.7:Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.* EN.ESS3.1:Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the availability of natural resources, occurrence of natural hazards, and changes in climate effect human activity. EN.ESS3.4:Evaluate design solutions for a major global or local environmental problem that reduces or stabilizes the impacts of human activities on natural systems.*

Teaching Materials

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