New Perspectives: Urban Health

Urbanisation refers to a change in size, density and heterogeneity of cities. According to WHO definition of health, it is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. Therefore urban health refers to the health of people living in the cities (very simple straight forward definition….heh!!).

Malaysia has experienced a rapid industrialization and urbanization over the past 50 years. Below are some facts about urbanization across the world and in Malaysia.

The urban population has increased from 37% in 1981 to 50% in 2000 (Roziah Omar, 2005).
United Nations projects that 61 percent of humanity will live in cities by 2025.
Majority of the world’s population will live in urban areas by 2007 (Lancet).
About 75% of Malaysian population will be living in cities and towns by 2020 (NST, August 6 2006)

With rapid development of the city, especially in Malaysia, we can’t run from the problems that can arise from the urbanization processes. Most of us know it very well (common sense huh!!). The problems include physical and social as well as mental health. They are as follows:-

Physical
Air pollution, noise, and nuisance
Motor vehicle accident (anda mampu mengubahnya)
Pedestrian injuries and fatalities
Housing – squatters, high-rise building, overcrowding, homeless
Climate changes – El Nino, La Nina, green house effects
Physical inactivity – Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Obesity
Water quality & quantity (dahla rakyat membazir air, nak jual kat Singapore lagik…SYABAS!!)
Waste disposal and sewerage (Oh tandas…berkualiti!!)

Social
Migrant workers – Indon, Bangla, Myanmar, Nepal (datang buat menyemak, buat masalah jenayah, sebar penyakit pastu kahwin ngan org Malaysia)
Occupational diseases
Stress
Crime and abuse
Sexual transmitted diseases (papa jahat!!)
Poverty
Drug addiction (hidu gam ngan taik lembu pon balun jugak…layan!!)


Psychosocial
Divorce (mama tahu papa ligat!!)
Long commutes (that’s the way we jam)
Road rage (yeyeh!!)
Decreased leisure time (tapi papa sempat buat jahat lagi)
Fear – crime, claustrophobia, post-traumatic stress
Loss of sense of community – TV, computer, PS (baru nak kempen ‘kenali jiran anda’)

So people…what should we do?? Continue to live this way?? Is this what should we pay for freedom, after 50 years of independence? Banyak lagik tak cerite atas tuh..malas nak elaborate sume…leceh!!

Aii….seminggu lagik nak exam urban health posting. Malasnye!! (Itu jek main pointnye)

Gemilang 50, Malaysia oh tanahairku!!

(pictures taken from www.sunway.com.my/suncon/core_td_klcc1.html)