Issues Affecting the Environment Public Health Policies, the Effects, and the Solutions

Policy Brief
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Policy Brief: Policy Health Issue on Climate Change
In the United States, climate change is no longer a common issue but rather an emergency. There have been notable differences experienced by communities in the country, especially the public health issue of air pollution (Duan et al., 2017). To improve health care delivery amid this issue, nurses have a critical role in influencing the development and implementation of policies targeted to improve the environment. These policies will help in improving health care delivery services in the country's health system. There are several health consequences of climate change, including elevated asthma cases and cardiovascular illnesses. To curb these health effects, health organizations are at the forefront to support and advocate for implementing the Climate Action Now Act. The policy helps the country follow all the guidelines and goals set during the Paris agreement (Duan et al., 2017). The policy also helps identify strategies that can be used to achieve targets and safeguard public health from the adverse effects of climate change. This paper pinpoints issues affecting the environment public health policies, their effects, solutions that can be used for various types of people and communities.
Statement of the Problem
All people are affected in one or the other by the climate public health issue. How people access healthcare services is affected. The climate change factors such as extreme heat and storms affect everyone in the country, including children, women, adults, rich, poor, and even the elderly. However, the population that is less advantaged is more affected than the privileged people. Vulnerable populations experience the health effects of extreme climate changes, exposing them to face more severe risks and consequences of climate and weather changes (Duan et al., 2017). The vulnerable populations include infants and children, pregnant women, disabled people, people who are chronically ill, and those with low income. Changes in air quality, mainly due to industrialization, lead to air pollution, causing illnesses and deaths due to the effects of the ozone layer disruption (Duan et al., 2017). Air pollution can be based on different sources. These sources include coal and gas and increased temperatures that poison the air and lead to allergens and air pollutants.
How can the Health Issue be Addressed?
Taking early and prompt actions to protect and safeguard the health of Americans is crucial. These actions are meant to reduce the future effects of climate change and help to solve the currently existing effects for significant health benefits (Al-Delaimy et al., 2020). Programs aimed at enhancing climate change adaptation helps to lower carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide emissions, preventing the heat trap effect. Using transport means that cause minimal air pollution, such as bikes or walking, can lower air pollution and steer physical activity. Through physical activity, lifestyle conditions such as obesity and diabetes can be prevented. There are agencies and stakeholders in public health who perform monitoring and trac...