Slide 1

Human Behavior, the Environment, and Health

Slide 2

Ecosystem services: The conditions and processes through which natural ecosystems, and the species that make them up, sustain and fulfill human life. (Daily, 1997) Services are the benefits that people receive from ecosystems. (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment 2005) Final ecosystem services are components of nature, directly enjoyed, consumed, or used to yield human well being. (Boyd et al. 2007)

Slide 3

Ecosystem services (MEA 2005) Regulating Benefits obtained from regulation of ecosystem processes Air Quality Regulation Climate Regulation o Global (CO 2 sequestration) o Regional and local Erosion regulation Water purification Disease regulation Pest regulation Pollination Natural Hazard regulation Cultural Non-material benefits from ecosystems Spiritual and Religious Values Knowledge Systems Educational values Inspiration Aesthetic Values Social Relations Sense of Place Recreation and Ecotourism Provisioning Goods produced or provided by ecosystems Food Crops Livestock Capture Fisheries Aquaculture Wild Foods Fiber Timber Cotton, hemp, silk Wood Fuel Genetic resources Biochemicals Freshwater

Slide 4

WNV cases Susceptibility # of infectious bites on people # of bites on people Social Structure Mosquito abundance Age Overall health Behavior: Exposure # all breeding sites Temperature Quality of breeding sites Nutrient input Precipitation Urbanization/ Infrastructure Forest Cover Land cover change # Containers & landscape Precipitation Mosquito bite preference for people Knowledge Risk/Serious Availability of birds WNV prevalence in mosquitoes WNV prevalence in birds Clustering of birds and mosquitoes Birds mature earlier Birds reproduce earlier Mild winter Climate change Education programs Behavior HH: Maintenance Hydrology

Slide 5

Human risk and behavior varies by socioeconomic factors Transmission Risk Behavior: Yard maintenance Behavior: PersonalThe most susceptible groups: Are the most concerned Take the most household actions to reduce habitat Take the most behavioral precautions

Slide 6

The environment, recreation, and human health Personal development and growth Self-esteem, creativity, skill development Mental health Stress reduction, reduced depression Physiological Cardiovascular, obesity reduction

Slide 7

Obesity reduction and outdoor recreation Alabama has the fourth highest rate of adult obesity in the nation (33%) and the sixth highest rate of overweight youths (ages 10- 17 at 36%).

Slide 8

CDC: Engaging Communities to Reduce & Prevent Obesity in High- Obesity Alabama Counties Three pronged approach: 1. Provide education and promotional support to environmental approaches 2. Implement evidence-based strategies to increase access and consumption of healthy food and beverages 3. Implement evidence-based strategies to increase opportunities for physical activity

Slide 9

Implement evidence-based strategies to increase opportunities for physical activity Municipal assessment in 14 communities Access to parks and trails Safe routes to school School facilities and availability School physical education programming Focus Groups o Assessment of barriers and opportunities Years 2 & 3 Implementation