Unit Nine Assignments

Global and Future Challenges: Emerging Environmental Health Problems (Persuasive Essay)

Background:

Environmental health challenges continue to evolve as our society advances technologically and industrially. These emerging threats often develop gradually, making them particularly dangerous as they can go unnoticed until significant harm has occurred. Understanding these challenges requires examining their origins, measuring their impacts, and developing evidence-based solutions.

Assignment Overview:

As an environmental health professional, you have identified a critical emerging environmental health challenge that requires immediate attention from key stakeholders. Your task is to write a (2500 words minimum) that will convince decision-makers to take action. This essay should tell a compelling story about the problem, its impact on human health, and how you can use current and emerging technologies to address it. Your essay should convince readers of the urgency of addressing this challenge while providing a comprehensive analysis of the problem and proposed solutions.

Topic Options:

Select one of these emerging environmental health issues that speaks to you:

• The hidden threat of antimicrobial resistance in our environment.
• Microplastics: The invisible invader in our food and bodies.
• PFAS: The “forever chemicals” in our daily lives.
• Climate change and the rise of vector-borne diseases.
• New industrial air pollutants in our changing economy.

Writing Your Essay:

Your essay should include these key sections:

Problem Identification and Background: Setting the Stage (500 words)

Tell the story of how this environmental health challenge emerged. What has changed in our world to make this a pressing issue? Use real examples and data to paint a picture that will resonate with your readers. Help them understand why they should care about this issue now.

Health Impact Analysis: The Human Cost (700 words)

Share the human impact of this challenge through both data (include visualizations or tables) and narrative. Who are the real people affected? What are their stories? How does this issue affect different communities? Include both personal stories and broader population health impacts. Consider including:

• A day in the life of someone affected by this issue.
• Real case studies from affected communities.
• Economic impacts on families and healthcare systems.
• Future generations’ stakes in this issue.

Measurement and Monitoring: Tools of the Trade (500 words)

Explain how we track, measure, and understand this problem. What technologies do we currently use? What new tools are on the horizon? Make this technical information accessible by relating it to real-world applications. Help readers understand both the possibilities and limitations of our current capabilities.

Solutions and Stakeholder Actions: The Path Forward (700 words)

Present your vision for addressing this challenge. What specific steps should stakeholders take? Why are these solutions practical and effective? Include:

• Short-term actions for immediate impact
• Long-term strategies for lasting change
• Cost considerations and potential funding sources
• Success stories from similar initiatives

Conclusion: (100 words)

• Restate urgency of the problem.
• Summarize key points.
• Call to action.

Essay Requirements:

• 2500 word essay minimum (does not include tables or images).
• APA Format to include proper heading and subheadings, APA reference list, APA in-text citation.
• Minimum of five credible (peer-reviewed) sources.
• Include data visualizations or tables to help support health impact analysis.

Submitting Your Assignment

Save your assignment with the following naming convention: username-SC415-section-unit9-assignment.doc (username is your school username, section is your course section). When you are ready to submit it, go to the Unit 9 Assignment Dropbox and submit.