Vulnerable Populations

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Some of the most susceptible people to hazardous environmental exposures are people of low socioeconomic status. One of the major issues with this is the fact that many of them cannot change their environment and can't afford to move to areas where they are not exposed to dangerous chemicals. Yes, there are some services out there to help these people but many of them do not know they are being effected by these chemicals or that they could get help to change their situation. It is a cycle that is very hard to break. The people with some of the hardest lives are exposed to some of the most dangerous chemicals. It should be our duty as a strong developed nation to do everything in our power to protect this people and to not protect corporate America. Too often we give passes on large companies who have strong lobbyists. This is causing long-term detrimental affects on our citizens. 

 The effects of harmful exposures can have life-long effects. If you were exposed to harmful chemicals as a child and then removed from those chemicals it doesn't mean that you will not have health problems later on in life. On example of this is fertility. Some of the chemicals that you are exposed to can lead to decreased fertility later on in life. It is one of the main reasons that the United States is seeing a spike in infertility rates.
Another example of this is with Autism, there is tremendous spike is Autism and according to UC Davis this spike can be contributed to some chemicals that children are exposed to. Yet, despite this knowledge little is done to protect us. I think the best way to combat these public health issues is to bring awareness to these issues. Usually it takes many outraged citizens to bring change. 

Comments

  1. Jordan DemosSeptember 14, 2018 at 9:46 AM

    Hi Caitlin,

    Im afraid Cooperate America is the one with all of the money, and right now, it is clear that money is more important than health and wellbeing of this countries inhabitants. I agree with you that the only way to make change is to mobilize and make your voices heard. Power is in numbers!

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownSeptember 16, 2018 at 8:57 PM

    Hi Caitlin,

    I had not thought of infertility as a something that was created by chemical exposure. And the level of autism rates is alarming. I agree that if there is going to be more change, citizens will have to start speaking out against it while raising awareness for the greater public. It is unfortunate it affects those most vulnerable populations too.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousSeptember 17, 2018 at 9:50 AM

    Most of the my friends who had babies four to five years ago had some type of skin or allergic issues with their babies. The commonality of it was so large that I realize at one point that of almost ten babies I knew, only one didn't have eczema or food allergy! This makes me really wonder how and what the mothers ate or lived effected the skin of the babies.. its so crazy

    ReplyDelete

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