Environmental Health

Course Outline: Environmental Health

Course Overview

This undergraduate course introduces students to the principles of environmental health, focusing on the interactions between the environment and human health. It explores environmental hazards, their impact on health, and strategies to mitigate risks, while equipping students with the tools to assess and address environmental health challenges at local, national, and global levels.

Course Objectives

  1. Understand the relationship between environmental factors and human health.
  2. Identify and evaluate environmental hazards and their effects on health.
  3. Explore methods for monitoring and managing environmental health risks.
  4. Examine policies, regulations, and interventions to promote environmental health.
  5. Develop problem-solving skills to address environmental health issues.

    Course Structure

    Module 1: Introduction to Environmental Health

    • Definition and scope of environmental health.
    • History and evolution of environmental health science.
    • Overview of environmental determinants of health.
    • Key global and local environmental health challenges.

    Module 2: Environmental Hazards and Human Health

    • Types of environmental hazards:
      • Biological (pathogens, vectors).
      • Chemical (pesticides, pollutants, toxins).
      • Physical (radiation, noise, heat).
    • Sources, pathways, and exposure routes.
    • Case studies on environmental health impacts.

    Module 3: Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)

    • Importance of clean water and sanitation.
    • Waterborne diseases and their prevention.
    • Hygiene practices and health outcomes.
    • Global initiatives to improve WASH.

    Module 4: Air Quality and Health

    • Indoor and outdoor air pollution.
    • Health impacts of air pollutants (e.g., PM2.5, NOx, SOx).
    • Climate change and respiratory health.
    • Policies and interventions for air quality improvement.

    Module 5: Food Safety and Environmental Health

    • Sources of food contamination.
    • Impact of agricultural practices on health.
    • Zoonotic diseases and foodborne illnesses.
    • Ensuring food safety: standards and regulations.

    Module 6: Climate Change and Health

    • Effects of climate change on ecosystems and human health.
    • Heat stress, vector-borne diseases, and natural disasters.
    • Vulnerable populations and health equity in climate adaptation.
    • Global responses to climate change and health mitigation.

    Module 7: Waste Management and Health

    • Types of waste: municipal, hazardous, and e-waste.
    • Health impacts of improper waste disposal.
    • Recycling, composting, and sustainable waste management.
    • Case studies on waste management practices.

    Module 8: Occupational and Urban Environmental Health

    • Occupational hazards and workplace health.
    • Urbanization and its impact on health (e.g., noise, overcrowding, transport).
    • Sustainable urban planning for health promotion.
    • Tools for environmental health assessment in urban settings.

    Module 9: Environmental Policy and Regulation

    • National and international environmental health policies.
    • Role of government and non-governmental organizations.
    • Key legislation (e.g., Clean Air Act, Safe Drinking Water Act).
    • Environmental justice and advocacy.

    Module 10: Research and Innovations in Environmental Health

    • Tools for monitoring environmental health (GIS, biomarkers, modeling).
    • Innovations in environmental health technology.
    • Community participation in environmental health initiatives.
    • Future directions and challenges in environmental health science.

    Assessment and Evaluation

    • Class Participation (10%): Engagement in discussions and in-class activities.
    • Assignments (20%): Case studies, environmental health risk assessments.
    • Quizzes and Exams (30%): Understanding theoretical and practical knowledge.
    • Field Project (20%): Community-based environmental health intervention.
    • Final Presentation (20%): Proposing solutions to a specific environmental health issue.

    • Learning Outcomes

      By the end of the course, students will be able to:

      • Recognize and describe major environmental health issues.
      • Apply methods to assess environmental health risks.
      • Develop and evaluate strategies to address environmental health problems.
      • Advocate for policies that promote sustainable environmental health solutions.