Page 66 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2025

HEALTHY LIVING
The Built
ENVIRONMENT
story by
Dr. Nickie Harris-Ray
and Your Health
The Centers for Disease Control defines the built environment as including “all the physical elements of our living and working spaces, such as homes, buildings, streets, open areas, and infrastructure.” Specific characteristics of the built environment—such as limited opportunities for walking or biking, inadequate safe access to parks and recreational spaces, and a lack of healthy food options—can lead to poor eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle, ultimately increasing the risk of obesity.
Since you spend a significant amount of time indoors, especially at home, the quality of your housing has a significant impact on your health. Substandard housing conditions can expose you to various hazards, including poor insulation, indoor air pollution (from smoke from biomass stoves and nitrogen and sulfur dioxides from gas appliances), inadequate water and sanitation, infestations of pests like cockroaches and rodents, dust mites, risks of hypothermia and hyperthermia, dampness and mold, high levels of lead in contaminated dust and soil, potential fire hazards, weakening
of structural integrity, and lead-based paint.
Although there has been a decline in lead poisoning rates in
the United States, children aged 18-36 months in low-income and inner-city neighborhoods remain particularly vulnerable. Furthermore, lead is still used in various products around the world, including paint, gasoline, ceramics and pottery, and cans. It has been scientifically shown that lead poisoning can lead to neurological damage, lower IQ levels, hyperactivity, increased aggression, and learning difficulties.
The safety of our environment and workplaces has a significant impact on our health. Public health initiatives adopted during the 20th century have significantly improved the living and working conditions for many, leading to a longer lifespan. Nonetheless, hazardous jobs and harmful environmental exposures continue to contribute significantly to health disparities. The population at large should be aware of potential hazards in the built environment and work with relevant authorities to help improve conditions for all.
66 | August 2025
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