Final answer:
The health impacts of the physical environment include increased risks of cancer due to environmental factors, geographical influences on disease patterns, and environmental changes affecting exercise habits and climate health issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
Physical Environment Effects on Health,
The state of our physical environment has a profound impact on our health and wellbeing. Factors such as geographical location, access to safe water, and air quality can significantly influence the prevalence and severity of diseases. One of the major environmental health risks is exposure to carcinogens, where certain types of cancer have been linked to environmental factors. As discussed by Mahase in 2019, cancers are prominent causes of death in higher-income countries, often influenced by one's surroundings.
Geography is also a critical factor, providing valuable insights into the spatial patterns of health and healthcare. Living in areas with poor sanitation and contaminated water leads to a high number of diarrheal diseases and deaths, especially among children. Additionally, physical exercise, which has been highlighted as essential for reducing the risk of conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and certain cancers, can be harder to maintain in urban environments that lack green spaces and clean air.
Changes in the physical environment, such as those detailed by UNEP in 2007 regarding glaciers and ice melt, can also have indirect effects on health by contributing to climate change and increasing the frequency of natural disasters. The promotion of behavioral change to adapt to these changes, like increased physical activity and improved environmental safeguards, is crucial for preventing disease and enhancing health.