Environment and health

In this chapter, we discuss the impact of the physical environment on people’s health. Climate change and changes in weather patterns are affecting people’s health due to environmental warming, poor air quality and emissions, ultraviolet radiation, flooding, drought, freezing weather, allergens, vector-borne diseases, conflict and displacement. The chapter examines the four priorities of air pollution, the built environment, housing and housing stock with reference to a range of public health concerns such as transport fuel, urban heat islands, obesogenic environments, lead, damp, carbon monoxide, radon gas, cold homes, safety, homelessness, changing accommodation, town planning and location. The chapter outlines how to tackle each of these four environmental priorities. It concludes by describing a healthy environment with reference to environmental stewardship, sustainability and the UN sustainable development goals.