Environmental Hazards and Global Public Health

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/environmental-hazards-and-global-public-health

Introduction

**Course Review: Environmental Hazards and Global Public Health** If you’re interested in understanding how environmental factors impact human health on a global scale, Coursera's course titled *Environmental Hazards and Global Public Health* is an excellent choice. This course, part of the specialization *Impacts of the Environment on Global Public Health*, explores various environmental hazards and their implications for our well-being. As someone who is passionate about public health and environmental science, I found this course to be both informative and engaging. **Course Overview** The course takes a comprehensive approach to environmental hazards, covering critical areas such as air and water pollution, solid and hazardous waste, and physical hazards like radon and noise. Students are guided through an exploration of these hazards, how they come into contact with them in their daily lives, and strategies for reducing exposure and health impacts. **Syllabus Breakdown** - **Week 1: Air & Water Pollution** The course kicks off with a solid introduction to the crucial topics of air and water pollution. Throughout this week, learners are not only provided with introductory material but are also encouraged to engage with the course community. This sense of belonging is invaluable, as interacting with fellow learners enhances understanding and retention of concepts. The module delves into the causes of pollution, its health effects, and how individuals can take actionable steps to mitigate these issues. - **Week 2: Physical Hazards (Noise and Radon) and Solid Waste** Week two shifts the focus onto physical environmental hazards. Noise pollution and radon, often overlooked dangers, are explored in-depth alongside the management of solid and hazardous waste. This topic is critically relevant as urban areas frequently grapple with waste management, and individuals must understand how these elements can affect their health. The insights gained here can lead to informed decision-making in daily life. - **Week 3: Urbanization and Global Health** In the third week, urbanization is examined as a global phenomenon that shapes the environment and health outcomes. The connection between rapid urbanization and public health is highlighted, making this module particularly intriguing for those passionate about urban planning and sustainability. The content is timely and brings forward discussions about how modern cities can be both livable and healthy. - **Week 4: Built Environment** The final week addresses the built environment—not just what we build, but how to design these spaces with health in mind. This week is customizable, allowing students to think critically about how built environments can foster or hinder health. It challenges students to consider innovative approaches to urban design, creating spaces that enhance public health. **Conclusion and Recommendation** Overall, *Environmental Hazards and Global Public Health* offers a stimulating blend of knowledge and actionable strategies to tackle some of the most pressing environmental challenges faced today. The course structure is well-organized, providing a logical flow from one topic to the next. The interactive elements and assignments deepen understanding, making the learning experience more impactful. I highly recommend this course to students, professionals in public health, urban planning, environmental science, and anyone interested in the intersection of environment and health. Not only does it equip participants with knowledge, but it also empowers them to take meaningful actions to improve their communities. With its thoughtful curriculum, engaging learning community, and relevant real-world applications, Coursera's *Environmental Hazards and Global Public Health* is a worthwhile investment in your education and a pivotal step towards addressing global public health challenges.

Syllabus

Week 1: Air & Water Pollution

Welcome to Week 1! We start this week with an orientation to the course and our learning community. Then, we start our course by covering two important topics that touch our lives in an immense way: water and air pollution. Let’s find out about water and air, and more, in the Week 1 module.

We are all exposed to physical hazards that can affect our quality of life to different degrees. The question, therefore, is how to manage our exposures to these hazards such as noise, radon, and solid and hazardous waste. Let’s find out about these types of physical hazards, and more, in the Week 2 module.

Urbanization is a global phenomenon that affects our environment, and therefore our lives in a significant way. As such, urbanization is tied to global health. Let’s find out about urbanization, and more, in the Week 3 module.

Most of our living environment is designed and built for specific purposes. The question is how to design a built environment while protecting it at the same time? Let’s find out how, and more, in Week 4, our last module.