Introduction to Planetary Health

Planetary Health

• Planetary health is an evolving field and collective effort focused on protecting the health and well-being of humans, animals, and ecosystems.
• It emphasizes how disruptions to Earth's natural systems affect human health.

Terms to Know

• Anthropocene: A biological age defined by human impacts on the environment and their consequences.
• Biodiversity: The variety of life in an area, which is essential for human health.
• Climate Change: Long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns, largely caused by human activities.
• Climate Justice/Environmental Justice: A movement addressing social, racial, economic, and environmental inequities linked to climate change.

Changes to the Planet's Health

• Global climate distribution and climate change patterns are shifting.
• Air, water, and soil are widely polluted.
• There is a rapid loss of biodiversity.
• Resource scarcity is on the rise.
• Nine planetary boundaries, within which humanity can thrive, have been exceeded, leading to climate-related disasters.
• Efforts aim to combat the "triple threat" of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.
• There's an increase in severe weather events like droughts, fires, and floods.

Importance of Planetary Health

• Climate change is the most significant health threat of the 21st century.
• The World Health Organization estimates that climate change will cause about 250,000 additional deaths annually between 2030 and 2050.

Impact on Human Health

• It affects air quality, food production, disease exposure, extreme weather events, and access to fresh water.
• Health impacts include increased malnutrition rates.
• There's increased exposure to infectious diseases, such as higher malaria rates and parasite exposure due to damming and limited access to fresh water.
• Rates of non-communicable diseases are increasing, including more severe respiratory diseases from air pollution and increased cardiovascular risks from rising global temperatures.
• Displacement and conflict arise due to resource scarcity.
• There are negative impacts on mental health.

Facts from the LANCET 2024 Report

• Heat-related deaths in people over 65 have risen by 165% since the 1990s.
• Average economic losses from extreme weather events totaled $227 billion USD between 2019 and 2023.
• In 2023, 733 million people were undernourished, and 2.83 billion could not afford a healthy diet due to increasing food scarcity costs.

Climate Anxiety

• Also known as eco-anxiety.
• More people report negative emotional and mental health impacts related to climate change and its effects on health and the environment.
• It may stem from experiencing disasters, impacts on livelihood, environmental conditions, and fears about the future.
• Feelings of helplessness or grief related to ecological losses can occur.

Vulnerable Populations

• Populations that have contributed the least to climate change problems are often the most affected.
• Ethical considerations should address the relationship between social determinants of health and the risks posed by climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution.

The Nurse’s Role

• Nurses can contribute through research, education, and advocacy.
• They can act through individual practice and population health initiatives.
• The population health promotion model can guide nursing actions in this area.

Young Adulthood (20-35)

• Physical growth slows, reducing nutritional needs; however, weight gain is common due to established habits.
• Individuals move away from their family of origin and establish career goals.
• Decisions are made about marriage, starting a family, or remaining single.
• Moral development varies, but most are in stage 2.

Young Adulthood: Physical Development

• Physical changes peak, including height, muscle mass, and the maturation of internal/reproductive organs.
• The brain continues to develop until the mid-20s.

Young Adulthood: Cognitive Development

• Full range of cognitive skills are available.
• Skills sharpen as individuals adapt to their living/learning environments.
• Cognitive skills support psychosocial and moral growth.

Young Adulthood: Psychosocial Development

• Individuals navigate intimacy vs. isolation, focusing on forming close personal relationships, love, friendship, and community.
• Lifestyle choices and career paths are often established.
• Individuals face the challenge of responding to external, societal, and cultural forces.

Young Adult: Psychosocial Changes

• Young adults aim for fulfilling careers, setting short and long-term career goals.
• Successful employment provides economic security and fosters social connections, support, and self-respect.
• Social pressure to marry has decreased.
• The single population is growing due to increased career opportunities for women.
• Marriage requires teamwork when establishing a household.
• Consider motivations, communication, and acceptance of habits.
• Parenthood is a choice, with increasing diversity in families.

Young Adulthood: Health Risks

• Lifestyle factors such as poor food choices, smoking, risky sexual behavior, substance abuse, and inactivity increase illness risk.
• Family history also plays a role.
• Accidental injuries and death are significant concerns.
• Unplanned pregnancies can cause stress, requiring assessment of family support, parenting potential, coping mechanisms, and financial/housing problems.
• Substance abuse contributes to mortality and morbidity and should be routinely assessed with non-judgmental questions.
• STIs are a major health problem; partners should be aware of each other's sexual history.
• Environmental and occupational factors also pose risks.

Young Adulthood: Health Concerns/Promotion

• Infertility affects many couples, with increased fertility problems for those delaying childbearing into their 30s.
• Pregnancy involves physiological, cognitive, and psychosocial changes impacting the entire family.
• Routine health screenings, exercise, nutrition, stress management, and addressing chronic illness onset are essential.

Stress & Mental Health

• Depression, anxiety, and psychiatric disorders are prominent between ages 15 and 24.
• Suicide is the second leading cause of death in this group.
• The Canadian Alliance of Student Associations reported in 2023 that 32% of post-secondary students rate their mental health as "poor" or "very poor".

Family Planning & Reproductive Health

• Postponing childbearing into the 30s or later presents potential challenges.

Middle Adulthood (36-65)

• Individuals become aware of changes in reproductive and physical abilities and may reassess their life goals.
• The population in this age group is growing.

Middle Adulthood: Physical Development

• Age-related changes in appearance require acceptance.
• Body image and self-esteem considerations are important.
• Women experience menopause (cessation of menses, typically in late 40s-50s) due to hormonal changes.
• Hearing and visual acuity decrease.
• Chronic illnesses may begin.

Middle Adulthood: Cognitive Development

• Formal operations continue. Cognitive changes are rare, and the ability to learn new skills persists.
• Cognitive development can be impacted by illness, trauma or mental stressors.

Middle Adulthood: Psychosocial Development

• Erikson's stage focuses on generativity vs. stagnation/self-absorption.
• Generativity involves expanding personal and social involvement.
• Dissatisfaction with achievements can lead to self-absorption and stagnation.

Middle Adulthood: Psychosocial Changes

• The "Sandwich Generation" experiences the challenge of caring for aging parents and children simultaneously.
• Career transitions involve choices between retirement and continued employment, influenced by personal preference and economic pressures.
• Family and relationship changes include singlehood, divorce, and adult children leaving home.
• Children may leave home, altering routines and requiring couples to reconnect.
• Single adults over 35 may feel isolated during family holidays.
• Marital changes like death, divorce, and remarriage occur.
• Family transitions require parents to reassess their marriage, resolve conflicts, and plan for the future.
• Caring for aging parents presents challenges.
• Sexuality can be affected by menopause, hypertension, work stress, and other health changes.

Middle Adulthood: Health & Wellness Concerns

• Chronic stress can lead to heart attacks, hypertension, migraines, ulcers, colitis, autoimmune diseases, backache, arthritis, and cancer.
• Obesity has health consequences.
• Personal health habits are crucial.
• Chronic physical illnesses are potential concerns.
• Depression and anxiety may arise.

Middle Adulthood: Sexuality & Sexual Development

• Menopause is the most significant change for women.
• Men may experience less firm erections and less frequent ejaculation.
• Impacts on sexual relationships include dryness, painful intercourse, erectile changes, and changes to libido.

Middle Adulthood: Child Bearing

• More individuals are having children after 35 ("advanced maternal age").
• Health concerns may differ from those in younger populations.
• Health promotion focuses on the specific needs of this group.
• A strengths-based perspective should be applied when considering their needs.

Health Promotion in Middle Adulthood

• Primary prevention focuses on preventing illness and injury and promoting health.
• Secondary prevention involves screenings and early detection.
• Tertiary prevention aims to manage existing conditions and prevent complications.