04/22/2026
What do PHC and environmental health have in common?
Lower income communities face greater environmental health risks.
-Higher environmental exposure: Lower‑income communities are more likely to face polluted air and water, industrial proximity, and fewer green spaces, leading to worse health outcomes.
-Greater vulnerability to climate extremes: Limited access to cooling, heating, and resilient housing makes heat waves, wildfires, and storms more dangerous for lower‑income individuals.
-Housing instability amplifies health risks: Lack of stable housing increases daily exposure to extreme weather, poor sanitation, and untreated environmental illness.
-Barriers to healthcare and recovery: Limited access to care and fewer financial resources make it harder to prevent, treat, and recover from environment‑related health impacts.
