Urban Health Issues

Living in an urban environment can have a major influence—both positive and negative—on one’s physical health and mental well-being. This book examines more than 20 key issues related to city living and what’s being done to address them.According to recent statistics, 80.7 percent of Americans live in urban areas, and more than half of the world’s population lives in cities. From various types of pollution to crime to overcrowding, the urban environment can have massive impacts on our physical, psychological, and social health and well-being. Moreover, while certain aspects of living in a city, such as access to health care, can improve the lives of many, other factors can have detrimental effects and can lead to inequalities along racial and socioeconomic lines.Urban Health Issues: Exploring the Impacts of Big-City Living examines 23 key issues related to urban health, exploring their causes and consequences in depth and highlighting what cities and individuals can do to safeguard the well-being of urban residents. It also draws comparisons between cities in the United States and the industrialized world and those in poor and developing nations, providing important global insights. The material is brought to life by fascinating city case studies and illuminating interviews with experts working in a variety of fields.Focuses on an area of public health that is of increasing importance, as urbanization rates continue to rise around the worldProvide real-world insights for readers through interviews with experts working in urban areas across the globeIllustrates in city case studies how particular metropolitan areas around the world are working to address particular urban health issuesOffers readers living in cities practical suggestions for staying healthy and avoiding urban hazards such as air and noise pollution

"With a broad range of topics from solid waste management to green buildings and sustainable development, Urban Health Issues is an excellent resource for school and public libraries." - Booklist Online, "...there is useful information here, dealing with serious topics and clearly presented. Public, school, and academic libraries should consider adding it to their collections." - ARBA

Richard V. Crume is a consultant, educator, and journalist with over 40 years of professional experience managing environmental health programs, conducting research in the environmental sciences, and teaching university classes on air pollution and climate change.