Final answer:
The term relates to prioritizing life-threatening health issues, especially in resource-limited settings, and includes the prevention and treatment of conditions such as pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term 'places life threatening problems first' emphasizes the prioritization of critical health issues that could lead to mortality if not addressed urgently. This concept is vital in environments where resources are limited, such as in low-income countries with scarce healthcare professionals and facilities. For instance, among the most frequent causes of death in children under five are preventable or treatable conditions like pneumonia, diarrhea, and malaria, which could be effectively managed with appropriate medical interventions and prevention strategies.
Furthermore, environmental factors significantly impact health, illustrated by instances such as the unequal effect of Hurricane Katrina on residents without access to personal transportation for evacuation. Prioritizing pressing health hazards also includes recognizing the broader scope of environmental determinants such as pollution, inadequate disaster planning, and social determinants of health that disproportionately affect minority neighborhoods.