This consists of two components: a neighborhood environmental risk assessment and a targeted audiovisual presentation of the risk assessment results and recommendations to government officials and other stakeholders.
Use public health data to conduct an environmental safety risk assessment based on your neighborhood or other familiar community. Assess risks to the various populations within your community to develop a comprehensive risk assessment. Based on the results of the risk assessment, determine whether enforcement or revision of a public health policy is the better course of action to protect and improve the health of the community at large. Include recommendations to mitigate the identified health risks. Record a presentation of your findings for a targeted governmental decision-making body including the mayor, city council members, and other community leaders as well as public health professionals.
. Risk Assessment and Prioritization
Based on the severity, frequency, and impact on vulnerable populations, the two highest priority risks are Lead Exposure and Poor Air Quality ($\text{PM}_{2.5}$).
Children under 6, particularly in pre-1978 rental properties.
5 (High - Irreversible harm)
Poor Air Quality
Increased incidence of asthma, bronchitis, hospitalizations for $\text{COPD}$ and heart attacks.
Children, Older adults, individuals with pre-existing conditions.
4 (High - High hospitalization rate)
C. Policy Decision: Enforcement vs. Revision
The most effective course of action is often a blend, but for the most critical risk, Lead Exposure, the immediate focus should be on Revision of Public Health Policy coupled with strategic enforcement.
Decision Rationale
Current policy typically focuses on reactive testing (when a child shows elevated BLLs). This is too late. The existing regulatory framework needs fundamental change to mandate proactive prevention.
Enforcement (Current Policy): Current enforcement only penalizes landlords after lead hazards are confirmed or after a child is poisoned. This reinforces a reactive approach.
Revision (Proposed Policy): A revised policy would shift the burden from the tenant/child to the property owner/system, making it a public health mandate to verify safety proactivel
This assessment focuses on the fictional Midtown neighborhood, a diverse urban area characterized by high-density housing, industrial zones near the riverfront, and an aging infrastructure.
A. Identification of Environmental Hazards
Hazard Type
Data Source (Assumed)
Finding
Population Affected
Air Quality (Particulate Matter $\text{PM}_{2.5}$)
EPA monitoring stations; local health department data.
$\text{PM}_{2.5}$ levels exceed national standards 60 days/year, primarily near the industrial zone and major highway interchange.
Children (asthma, respiratory), Older adults (COPD, heart disease).
Lead Exposure
Housing records (age of buildings); pediatric blood lead level (BLL) screenings.
$40\%$ of housing stock built before 1978 (pre-ban). Pediatric BLLs are $>5 \mu\text{g/dL}$ in $5\%$ of screened children (national average is $2.5\%$).
Children under 6 (neurodevelopmental risk).
Food Deserts / Access
USDA Food Access Research Atlas; local community surveys.
High concentration of fast-food restaurants; only one full-service grocery store located more than one mile from the low-income housing complex.
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