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118-444: “Environmental Health Coalition is dedicated to achieving environmental and social justice. We believe that justice is accomplished by empowered communities acting together to make social change. We organize and advocate to protect public health and the environment threatened by toxic pollution. EHC supports broad efforts that create a just society and fosters a healthy and sustainable quality of life.” The Environmental Health Coalition

236-564: A food oasis . The designation considers the type and the quality of food available to the population, in addition to the accessibility of the food through the size and the proximity of the food stores. In 2017, the United States Department of Agriculture reported that 39.5 million people or 12.8% of the population were living in low-income and low-access areas. Of this number, 19 million people live in "food deserts", low-income census tracts that are more than one mile from

354-490: A " great imitator ". People may become anxious or depressed post-diagnosis. The risk of suicide in people with cancer is approximately double. Local symptoms may occur due to the mass of the tumor or its ulceration. For example, mass effects from lung cancer can block the bronchus resulting in cough or pneumonia ; esophageal cancer can cause narrowing of the esophagus , making it difficult or painful to swallow; and colorectal cancer may lead to narrowing or blockages in

472-705: A 1995 document from a policy working group on the Low Income Project Team of the UK's Nutrition Task Force. Food deserts in America and the UK have been most widely studied due to the Western origins of the concept. Initial research was narrowed to the impact of retail migration from the urban center. More recent studies explored the impact of food deserts in other geographic areas (such as rural and frontier) and among specific populations like minorities and

590-569: A 2019 study published in The Quarterly Journal of Economics cast doubt on the notion that exposing poor neighborhoods to healthy groceries reduces nutritional inequality. The study found "that exposing low-income households to the same products and prices available to high-income households reduces nutritional inequality by only about 10 percent, while the remaining 90 percent is driven by differences in demand ". Past literature has suggested that lower retail access to supermarkets

708-514: A bus to get to a person. Transit lifeline 4 is having a Blue Line Express which a transit system that will operate 24 hours allowing more access to the trolley and can ensure people to get to their important appointments and places on time. Transit lifeline 5 is having service 24 hours for all public transit systems. Transit lifeline 6 is having a purple line transit system that connects from City Heights to Sorrento Valley allowing communities to connect to help boost economic prosperity. Transit lifeline 7

826-616: A child or children. In 2017, the likelihood of being food insecure in the US was for 22.4% Latinos, 26.1% for African Americans, and 10.5% for Whites. A 2002 study found that people who are food insecure often find themselves having to cut back more at the end of the month, when their finances or food stamps run out. Month to month, there are other special occasions that may lead to higher spending on food such as birthdays, holidays, and unplanned events. Because people who are food insecure are still fundamentally involved in society, they are faced with

944-531: A complex web of interconnected factors (e.g. demand for fresh produce is affected by people's socioeconomic status and cultural upbringing). As several studies have shown the discrepancies in the number of supermarkets in predominately black neighborhoods compared to predominately white neighborhoods, the characteristics of a neighborhood population are suggested to be motivations behind some business' reluctance to open in certain neighborhoods. The decreased availability of supermarkets in certain communities increases

1062-474: A concern. This includes that studies have not found a consistent link between mobile phone radiation and cancer risk. The vast majority of cancers are non-hereditary (sporadic). Hereditary cancers are primarily caused by an inherited genetic defect. Less than 0.3% of the population are carriers of a genetic mutation that has a large effect on cancer risk and these cause less than 3–10% of cancer. Some of these syndromes include: certain inherited mutations in

1180-400: A consumer otherwise has the financial resources to purchase and the mental desire to buy." An asset-related food desert involves the absence of financial assets, which prevents consumption of desirable food that is otherwise available. Attitude-related food deserts are any state of mind that prevents consumers from accessing the foods they can otherwise physically bring into their home and have

1298-437: A correspondingly higher level of prostate cancer. Men of Asian ancestry, with the lowest levels of testosterone-activating androstanediol glucuronide , have the lowest levels of prostate cancer. Food desert A food desert is an area that has limited access to food that is plentiful, affordable, or nutritious. In contrast, an area with greater access to supermarkets and vegetable shops with fresh foods may be called

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1416-541: A food desert and have family responsibilities, working may also limit time to travel to obtain nutritious foods as well as prepare healthful meals and exercise. Additional factors may include how different stores welcome different groups of people and nearness to liquor stores. Residents in a 2010 Chicago survey complained that in-store issues like poor upkeep and customer service were also impediments. Safety can also be an issue for those in high-crime areas, especially if they must walk while carrying food and maybe also with

1534-581: A food desert is its lack of healthy and nutritious foods. As food deserts are typically defined by household's decreased access to supermarkets and healthy food acquisition sources, areas defined as food deserts tend to have a greater number of fast food restaurants and convenient stores that are often more accessible and affordable for households. Convenient/corner stores and fast food restaurants frequently carry more processed foods than fresh, unprocessed foods. The widespread availability of processed foods in food deserts poses increased health risks to residents:

1652-419: A food desert. A 2010 proposed theory behind the formation of food deserts in the US is the shift in inner-city demographics in the 1970's-1980's. During this time period, many higher-income households moved from urban to suburban areas, lowering the median income in inner-city areas and causing supermarkets to close in these regions as a result. In three of the biggest inner-city areas in the U.S., over half of

1770-463: A goal of establishing an emergency transit system where it protects resident living near hazardous sites during disasters. In case of a disaster, there should be safety procedures involving public transit to help evacuate residents. Many landscaping workers in California experience migraines that they accredit to exhaust from gas powered leaf blowers, lawn mowers, etc. While the state of California

1888-399: A high dietary intake of ultra-processed foods, which contains higher contents of sodium, salts, sugars, and additives than fresh foods, has been consistently linked to higher risks of negative health and metabolic outcomes. A 2010 study stated that limited access to nutritious foods in food deserts can greatly impact one's ability to engage in healthy practices. Food access, affordability of

2006-564: A lump, abnormal bleeding, prolonged cough, unexplained weight loss, and a change in bowel movements . While these symptoms may indicate cancer, they can also have other causes. Over 100 types of cancers affect humans. Tobacco use is the cause of about 22% of cancer deaths. Another 10% are due to obesity , poor diet , lack of physical activity or excessive alcohol consumption . Other factors include certain infections, exposure to ionizing radiation , and environmental pollutants. Infection with specific viruses, bacteria and parasites

2124-499: A malignant tumor. They include: The progression from normal cells to cells that can form a detectable mass to cancer involves multiple steps known as malignant progression. When cancer begins, it produces no symptoms. Signs and symptoms appear as the mass grows or ulcerates . The findings that result depend on cancer's type and location. Few symptoms are specific . Many frequently occur in individuals who have other conditions. Cancer can be difficult to diagnose and can be considered

2242-566: A persistent fever . Shortness of breath, called dyspnea , is a common symptom of cancer and its treatment. The causes of cancer-related dyspnea can include tumors in or around the lung, blocked airways, fluid in the lungs, pneumonia, or treatment reactions including an allergic response . Treatment for dyspnea in patients with advanced cancer can include fans , bilevel ventilation, acupressure / reflexology and multicomponent nonpharmacological interventions . Some systemic symptoms of cancer are caused by hormones or other molecules produced by

2360-624: A result, there has been a paradigm shift within the movement with community organizers encouraging members of affected neighborhoods to consider how inadequate food systems correlate with the intersectionality of race and class. The Planting Seeds Just Tour serves as an example, as it visited solution based projects to resist injustices with ecological wisdom and food justice that were run by women of color. The tour also highlighted economically viable alternatives to provide healthy food and created spaces in which community members could participate in conversations regarding sustainability. Advocates within

2478-544: A role. Oncoviruses (viruses that can cause human cancer) include: Bacterial infection may also increase the risk of cancer, as seen in Parasitic infections associated with cancer include: Radiation exposure such as ultraviolet radiation and radioactive material is a risk factor for cancer. Many non-melanoma skin cancers are due to ultraviolet radiation, mostly from sunlight. Sources of ionizing radiation include medical imaging and radon gas. Ionizing radiation

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2596-483: A supermarket in urban or suburban areas and more than 10 miles from a supermarket in rural areas. Food deserts tend to be inhabited by low-income residents with inadequate access to transportation , which makes them less attractive markets for large supermarket chains. These areas lack suppliers of fresh foods, such as meats, fruits, and vegetables. Instead, available foods are likely to be processed and high in sugar and fats, which are known contributors to obesity in

2714-475: Is a determinant of health outcomes and a factor in certain diseases. An individual's food environment is one of many social determinants of health that contribute to his/her health outcomes: social determinants of health such as transportation infrastructure, urban planning , the built environment , and local policies also contribute to a person's health outcome. Due to the complex intersecting factors of social determinants of health, studies have suggested that

2832-416: Is about 2. The corresponding relative risk is 1.5 for lung cancer, and 1.9 for prostate cancer . For breast cancer, the relative risk is 1.8 with a first-degree relative having developed it at 50 years of age or older, and 3.3 when the relative developed it when being younger than 50 years of age. Taller people have an increased risk of cancer because they have more cells than shorter people. Since height

2950-421: Is access to supermarkets by definition would mean that Cape Town does not suffer from food deserts. Africa suffers from food deserts, and there is also a direct link between climate change and the rapid growth of food deserts. While supermarkets are expanding to areas in which they once did not exist, there is still a disparity when it comes to physical access. In Cape Town, asset-related urban food deserts are

3068-520: Is achieving the goal of having an all-electric fleet by 2030 to help prevent further air pollution. Transit lifeline 8 is focusing on having anti-displacement strategies where there is no more increase on rent and more transit since many working families had to move to a neighborhood with less public transit options due to increasing rent and housing pricing. Transit Lifeline 9 focuses on having restroom access at San Diego's major transit stations because dignity and hygiene are important. Transit lifeline 10 has

3186-446: Is an environmental factor causing approximately 16–18% of cancers worldwide. These infectious agents include Helicobacter pylori , hepatitis B , hepatitis C , human papillomavirus infection , Epstein–Barr virus , Human T-lymphotropic virus 1 , Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus and Merkel cell polyomavirus . Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) does not directly cause cancer but it causes immune deficiency that can magnify

3304-441: Is available in their neighborhood. Food deserts often have a high density of fast-food restaurants and corner stores that offer prepared and processed foods. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), community food security "concerns the underlying social, economic, and institutional factors within a community that affect the quantity and quality of available food and its affordability or price relative to

3422-537: Is generally not a transmissible disease . Exceptions include rare transmissions that occur with pregnancies and occasional organ donors . However, transmissible infectious diseases such as hepatitis B , Epstein-Barr virus , Human Papilloma Virus and HIV , can contribute to the development of cancer. Exposure to particular substances have been linked to specific types of cancer. These substances are called carcinogens . Tobacco smoke , for example, causes 90% of lung cancer. Tobacco use can cause cancer throughout

3540-463: Is generally unrelated to fruit and vegetable recommendations and overall diet quality. In a 2018 article in Guernica , Karen Washington states that factors beyond physical access suggest the community should reexamine the word food desert itself. She believes "food apartheid" more accurately captures the circumstances surrounding access to affordable nutritious foods: "When we say food apartheid

3658-413: Is genetically determined to a large extent, taller people have a heritable increase of cancer risk. Some substances cause cancer primarily through their physical, rather than chemical, effects. A prominent example of this is prolonged exposure to asbestos , naturally occurring mineral fibers that are a major cause of mesothelioma (cancer of the serous membrane ) usually the serous membrane surrounding

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3776-813: Is hit by natural disasters. Access to stores in low-income neighborhoods can be blocked when roads are flooded. Building damage can delay store openings. After Hurricane Harvey , grocery stores were not able to resume normal operation as they faced issues of infrastructure damage and supply issues. This situation was particularly dire for low-income communities, as they often have fewer resources to cope with such disasters and are more likely to live in areas prone to flooding and lacking in food retail options. This resulted in supermarkets in low-income neighborhoods being closed longer than other stores, which only worsened pre-existing inequalities. There were less supermarkets available after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans . Access to supermarkets in predominately Black neighborhoods

3894-503: Is in the process of notifying the local government of these issues with the help of the EHC. The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment and EPA developed a method of screening called CalEnviroScreen 3.0 and determined that Barrio Logan has a disproportionate number of pollution sources in their neighborhood. City planners and local government drafted a new plan, disregarding the communities' ideas and inputs. The neighborhood voted against

4012-477: Is linked to select cardiovascular health outcomes, and some studies have shown that increased access to supermarkets lowers individuals' risk of obesity with opposite outcomes for convenience stores. However, many scholars have highlighted the limitations of these studies due to their localization, short time frame, focus on a singular health outcome (people's health are assessed through multiple measures of health, not just one factor), and inability to account for all

4130-652: Is more common in Japan due to its high-salt diet while colon cancer is more common in the United States. Immigrant cancer profiles mirror those of their new country, often within one generation. Worldwide, approximately 18% of cancer deaths are related to infectious diseases . This proportion ranges from a high of 25% in Africa to less than 10% in the developed world. Viruses are the usual infectious agents that cause cancer but bacteria and parasites may also play

4248-403: Is not inherited , such as lifestyle, economic, and behavioral factors and not merely pollution. Common environmental factors that contribute to cancer death include tobacco use (25–30%), diet and obesity (30–35%), infections (15–20%), radiation (both ionizing and non-ionizing, up to 10%), lack of physical activity , and pollution. Psychological stress does not appear to be a risk factor for

4366-474: Is not a particularly strong mutagen . Residential exposure to radon gas, for example, has similar cancer risks as passive smoking . Radiation is a more potent source of cancer when combined with other cancer-causing agents, such as radon plus tobacco smoke. Radiation can cause cancer in most parts of the body, in all animals and at any age. Children are twice as likely to develop radiation-induced leukemia as adults; radiation exposure before birth has ten times

4484-457: Is not the sole determinant of fruit and vegetable consumption. People who have nonstandard work hours, including rotating or evening shifts, may have difficulty shopping at stores that close earlier and so opt instead to shop at fast food or convenience stores, which are generally open later. Under welfare-to-work reforms enacted in 1996, female adult recipients must log 20 hours a week of "work activity" to receive SNAP benefits. If they live in

4602-427: Is predominantly used in the production of Teflon , is known to cause two kinds of cancer. Chemotherapy drugs such as platinum-based compounds are carcinogens that increase the risk of secondary cancers Azathioprine , an immunosuppressive medication , is a carcinogen that can cause primary tumors to develop. Diet, physical inactivity , and obesity are related to up to 30–35% of cancer deaths. In

4720-409: Is strict about air quality regulations, some gas-powered machines remain unregulated. There appears to be little push from the government to strictly enforce clean air policies. In addition to this there is also little research on the subject. Some machines are claimed to be updated and safer but still emit dangerous SMOG particles and gases. The EPA stated that pollution levels from these machines are on

4838-457: Is then typically further investigated by medical imaging and confirmed by biopsy . The risk of developing certain cancers can be reduced by not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol intake, eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains , vaccination against certain infectious diseases, limiting consumption of processed meat and red meat , and limiting exposure to direct sunlight. Early detection through screening

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4956-549: Is traditionally applied to North America and Europe, but in recent years, the term has been extended to Africa as well. It has taken time for researchers to understand Africa's urban food deserts because the conventional understanding of the term must be reevaluated to fit Africa's unconventional supermarkets. A 2018 Tulane university study stated that there are three categories for food deserts: ability-related, assets-related, and attitude-related. Ability-related food deserts are "anything that physically prevents access to food which

5074-466: Is unlimited access to public transit to all residents of San Diego due to the lack of public transit accesses especially in low-income color communities. The second transit is investing in young people by implementing more youth program that allows them to have access to transportation without any problems. The transit lifeline 3 focuses on improving bus frequency by having bus service every 10 minutes because on average it takes about 30 minutes to an hour for

5192-409: Is useful for cervical and colorectal cancer . The benefits of screening for breast cancer are controversial. Cancer is often treated with some combination of radiation therapy , surgery, chemotherapy and targeted therapy . Pain and symptom management are an important part of care. Palliative care is particularly important in people with advanced disease. The chance of survival depends on

5310-468: The Food Justice movement have identified that terms like "Food Desert" undermine how the intersections of race and class largely influences minority communities' inaccessibility to fresh foods. To better describe what is taking place, activists such as Karen Washington have begun to use the term "food apartheid." The activist and community organizer Karen Washington describes the term as "[looking] at

5428-402: The bowel , affecting bowel habits. Masses in breasts or testicles may produce observable lumps. Ulceration can cause bleeding that can lead to symptoms such as coughing up blood (lung cancer), anemia or rectal bleeding (colon cancer), blood in the urine (bladder cancer), or abnormal vaginal bleeding (endometrial or cervical cancer). Although localized pain may occur in advanced cancer,

5546-587: The immune system and endocrine system . More than half of the effect from the diet is due to overnutrition (eating too much), rather than from eating too few vegetables or other healthful foods. Some specific foods are linked to specific cancers. A high-salt diet is linked to gastric cancer . Aflatoxin B1 , a frequent food contaminant, causes liver cancer. Betel nut chewing can cause oral cancer. National differences in dietary practices may partly explain differences in cancer incidence. For example, gastric cancer

5664-452: The lungs , liver , brain, and the bones . While some cancers can be cured if detected early, metastatic cancer is more difficult to treat and control. Nevertheless, some recent treatments are demonstrating encouraging results. The majority of cancers, some 90–95% of cases, are due to genetic mutations from environmental and lifestyle factors. The remaining 5–10% are due to inherited genetics . Environmental refers to any cause that

5782-460: The tumor microenvironment . Oncogenes build up an inflammatory pro-tumorigenic microenvironment. Hormones also play a role in the development of cancer by promoting cell proliferation . Insulin-like growth factors and their binding proteins play a key role in cancer cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis , suggesting possible involvement in carcinogenesis. Hormones are important agents in sex-related cancers, such as cancer of

5900-400: The EHC aims to work on a local, state, and national level in addressing social and environmental issues. The EHC has established its Theory of Social Change, which states that its work must be focused towards creating a lasting change through a shared political ideology, active support, analyzing their actions, and strengthening their organization. The EHC hopes to implement its mission through

6018-495: The EHC and local residents of San Diego organizing and advocacy for environmental justice to insure for a healthier and more sustainable communities, the 10 Transit Lifelines, a San Diego County regional plan was created. The 10 Transit Lifelines are goals of reducing greenhouses gas emissions, decrease lung-damaging air pollution, and meets the needs of the low-income communities of color separated into 10 categories. The first transit lifeline focuses on environmental justice where there

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6136-724: The Executive Director since 1982, and holds a master's degree in Social Work with a focus in public policy. She has served on advisory boards at the state, national, and international level and is part of the Joint Public Advisory Committee for the NAFTA Commission for Environmental Cooperation. Tony Pettina is the other founder of the EHC. From 1980 to 2006, he served as the treasurer of the board of directors. Joy Williams served as

6254-563: The Old Town National City Community in an effort to improve food security in the area. The area is established as a food desert , which is defined as "part of the country vapid of fresh fruit, vegetables, and other healthy whole foods". The residents of the city have voiced their feelings and opinions on the lack of readily available and healthy food. Because of their food desert status, residents are prone to disease and obesity. In all of San Diego, National City has

6372-733: The Research Director from 1987 to 2020 and received the Haagen-Smit Award by the California Air Resource Board (CARB) in 2019. The Environmental Health Coalition works to promote social and environmental justice initiatives through community involvement. It places an emphasis on policies involving public health and sustainability. The EHC aims to prevent and eliminate disproportionate distribution and placement of sources of toxic pollution in underprivileged communities. The coalition works to inform

6490-567: The Tijuana affiliate. In 2005, it got polluting diesel trucks banned on Barrio Logan streets, and in 2006, it worked with the state to ban candies that had unhealthy traces of lead in them. In 2010, the EHC got the West Side National City Specific Plan approved, and oversaw energy stimulus money going towards San Diego residents on low income. Diane Takvorian is one of the founders of the EHC. She has been

6608-643: The Toxic Free Neighborhoods and Clean Bay Campaigns. In 1994, the EHC launched SALTA (Salud Ambiental Lideres Tomando Accion or Environmental Health Leaders Taking Actions), which aimed to train locals in environmental health and justice. In 1996, the EHC protested the housing of nuclear aircraft carriers in San Diego Bay . In 2000, the EHC worked to draft the Military Responsibilities Act, and in 2002, it formed

6726-503: The United States . A related concept is the phenomenon of a food swamp , a recently coined term by researchers who defined it as a disproportionate number of fast food restaurants and advertising to a supermarket. The single supermarket in a low-income area does not, according to researchers Rose and colleagues, necessitate availability nor does it decrease obesity rates and health risks. The concept has its critics, who argue that merely focusing on geographical proximity does not reflect

6844-745: The United States have mirrored smoking patterns, with increases in smoking followed by dramatic increases in lung cancer death rates and, more recently, decreases in smoking rates since the 1950s followed by decreases in lung cancer death rates in men since 1990. In Western Europe, 10% of cancers in males and 3% of cancers in females are attributed to alcohol exposure, especially liver and digestive tract cancers. Cancer from work-related substance exposures may cause between 2 and 20% of cases, causing at least 200,000 deaths. Cancers such as lung cancer and mesothelioma can come from inhaling tobacco smoke or asbestos fibers, or leukemia from exposure to benzene . Exposure to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), which

6962-479: The United States, excess body weight is associated with the development of many types of cancer and is a factor in 14–20% of cancer deaths. A UK study including data on over 5 million people showed higher body mass index to be related to at least 10 types of cancer and responsible for around 12,000 cases each year in that country. Physical inactivity is believed to contribute to cancer risk, not only through its effect on body weight but also through negative effects on

7080-412: The actual purchasing habits of households and obscures other causes of poor diets. By 1973, the term "desert" was ascribed to suburban areas lacking amenities important for community development. A report by Cummins and Macintyre states that a resident of public housing in western Scotland supposedly coined the more specific phrase "food desert" in the early 1990s. The phrase was first officially used in

7198-414: The body (such as through inhalation) and require years of exposure to produce cancer. Physical trauma resulting in cancer is relatively rare. Claims that breaking bones resulted in bone cancer, for example, have not been proven. Similarly, physical trauma is not accepted as a cause for cervical cancer, breast cancer or brain cancer. One accepted source is frequent, long-term application of hot objects to

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7316-404: The body including in the mouth and throat, larynx , esophagus , stomach, bladder, kidney, cervix, colon/rectum, liver and pancreas . Tobacco smoke contains over fifty known carcinogens, including nitrosamines and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons . Tobacco is responsible for about one in five cancer deaths worldwide and about one in three in the developed world. Lung cancer death rates in

7434-401: The body. It is possible that repeated burns on the same part of the body, such as those produced by kanger and kairo heaters (charcoal hand warmers ), may produce skin cancer, especially if carcinogenic chemicals are also present. Frequent consumption of scalding hot tea may produce esophageal cancer. Generally, it is believed that cancer arises, or a pre-existing cancer is encouraged, during

7552-527: The breast, endometrium , prostate, ovary and testis and also of thyroid cancer and bone cancer . For example, the daughters of women who have breast cancer have significantly higher levels of estrogen and progesterone than the daughters of women without breast cancer. These higher hormone levels may explain their higher risk of breast cancer, even in the absence of a breast-cancer gene. Similarly, men of African ancestry have significantly higher levels of testosterone than men of European ancestry and have

7670-435: The case of emission changes even if they are not currently detrimental. They are making an effort to keep the people informed about what is going on in their environment. Cancer Cancer is a group of diseases involving abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. These contrast with benign tumors , which do not spread. Possible signs and symptoms include

7788-478: The city planners' version, so no resolution was reached and the city plan from 1978 remains. They are still making an effort to gain momentum for their 2013 plan, and are still trying to reach a resolution. San Diego County has a high emissions history. Most of their pollution comes from physical plants and cars. The city reported on their decreased emissions from the 1980s to the present. The tracked emissions do not include diesel because of monitoring differences, but

7906-547: The close proximity of fast-food restaurants and convenience stores, many low-income communities contain a higher prevalence of pharmacies, compared to medium- or high-income communities. Such stores often contain a high number of snack foods, such as candy, sugary beverages, and salty snacks, which is within arm's reach of a cash register in 96% of pharmacies. While pharmacies are important in these communities, they act as yet another convenience store and so further expose low-income residents to non-nutritional food. A key element of

8024-679: The community members about the dangers and tangible effects of pollution on quality of life in order to encourage individual activism. The EHC believes that the general public has a right to be informed of and involved with local democratic decision making. In addition, the EHC advocates for government intervention to create change in policies which aim to serve the protection of human and environmental rights. These policies are used to place stricter limits on corporation activity in order to increase accountability. The coalition also intends to widen their scope of influence by building relationships with other organizations which share EHC's ideology. In this way,

8142-472: The county still oversees 3000+ facilities that emit some sort of air pollution. These facilities include engine factories, auto body shops, dry cleaners, and gas stations. Higher emitting facilities are required to send out reports on their emissions every two years to keep track of any changes. The State Office for Environmental Health Hazard Assessment also changed its standards to include women and young children. The county sends out notifications to residents in

8260-467: The developing world. The global total economic costs of cancer were estimated at US$ 1.16 trillion (equivalent to $ 1.62 trillion in 2023) per year as of 2010 . The word comes from the ancient Greek καρκίνος , meaning 'crab' and 'tumor'. Greek physicians Hippocrates and Galen , among others, noted the similarity of crabs to some tumors with swollen veins. The word was introduced in English in

8378-520: The diesel-powered machines were causing was led by David Alvarez, chair of the San Diego Environment Committee. Though the policy has been in effect for some time, it currently does not prohibit the use of diesel trucks on all the streets. This still leaves structures such as, schools, retirement homes, and residential areas at risk of exposure to harmful contaminants like ultra-fine particulate matter. The EHC has advocated for

8496-581: The distance and number of stores in the area. A 2009 study stated that the distance from shops influences the quality of food eaten. A vehicle or access to public transportation is often needed to go to a grocery store. When neither a car nor public transportation is available, diets are rarely healthy because fast food and convenience stores are easier to access and do not cost as much money or time. Those who walk to food shops typically have poorer diets, which has been attributed to having to carry shopping bags home. Food access can be restricted in an area that

8614-557: The distance people have to travel to get food, further limiting food access for people without access to reliable transportation. Crime can serve as both a cause and effect of the development of food deserts in urban areas. Theft in stores can lead to increased prices for food, which can lead to more theft in a vicious cycle . This correlation between crime and food deserts is also heavily dependent on race; while violent or property crime are not statistically associated with food deserts in general, they are increasingly associated with it when

8732-675: The doctor, and get groceries due to how inaccessible and unreliable the current transit system is. In the San Diego region, passenger and light light-duty vehicles are the largest contributor of Greenhouse emissions, but adding more transit systems can reduce that. The EHC and the San Diego Transportation Equity Working Group are working to find ways to have a more reliable and accessible transit system while reducing greenhouse gas emission and lung- damaging air pollution. Along with these goals, it meets

8850-425: The dynamic market of other cultures and countries. Food deserts have primarily been studied in Western countries due to limitations around applying the retail access definition to different communities with varying cultures, food sourcing strategies, and environments around the world. A 2009 USDA study observed that low access to supermarkets in the U.S. are affected by various characteristics of neighborhoods and

8968-455: The effect. Medical use of ionizing radiation is a small but growing source of radiation-induced cancers. Ionizing radiation may be used to treat other cancers, but this may, in some cases, induce a second form of cancer. It is also used in some kinds of medical imaging . Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun can lead to melanoma and other skin malignancies. Clear evidence establishes ultraviolet radiation, especially

9086-418: The elderly. The studies addressed the relationships between the quality (access and availability) of retail food environments, the price of food, and obesity. Environmental factors can also contribute to people's eating behaviors. Research conducted with variations in methods draws a more complete perspective of "multilevel influences of the retail food environment on eating behaviors (and risk of obesity)." As

9204-460: The following: The multitude of definitions, varying by country, has fueled controversy over the existence of food deserts. It should also be noted that because it is too costly to survey the types of foods and prices offered in every store, researchers use the availability of supermarkets and large grocery stores, including discount and supercenter stores, as a proxy for the availability of affordable nutritious food. The term "urban food deserts"

9322-604: The food, and health literacy are all social determinants of health that are accentuated by living in a food desert. Multiple studies in the 2010s suggest that differences in demand for healthy food also contribute to poor health in food deserts. The concept of deprivation amplification has been proposed as an explanation of how food deserts can perpetuate poor health outcomes for a community: scholars suggest that residents of low-income neighborhoods' exposure to inadequate and unhealthy food environments can increase their individual risk factors for disease and poor health. However,

9440-786: The formation of food deserts. One proposed 2014 theory behind the emergence of food deserts, defined as areas with low supermarket access, is the expansion of large chain supermarkets that displaced smaller food stores from neighborhoods. Scholars cite the greater appeal of large chain supermarkets to individuals because of the wider variety and better values of food they offer as well as longer business hours compared to smaller, independently or family-owned grocery stores, leading to decreased demand and support for smaller food stores. The expansion of large chain supermarkets and loss of smaller food stores can create certain areas where only individuals with transportation can access, creating areas of disproportionate retail access that some scholars characterize as

9558-468: The frequent heavy duty truck activity on the nearby streets. Before the ordinance was unanimously passed, the residents of Barrio Logan had dealt with the ongoing air and noise pollution. The residents of Boston Avenue in Barrio Logan participated in a traffic survey, which showed that up to 59 heavy duty vehicles will drive down Boston Avenue in a given 2-hour period. The effort to reduce the effects

9676-445: The genes BRCA1 and BRCA2 with a more than 75% risk of breast cancer and ovarian cancer , and hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC or Lynch syndrome), which is present in about 3% of people with colorectal cancer , among others. Statistically for cancers causing most mortality, the relative risk of developing colorectal cancer when a first-degree relative (parent, sibling or child) has been diagnosed with it

9794-405: The geography of a community. The study cited income gaps, segregation by race, socioeconomic status, transport availability and infrastructure, rurality, segregation by income, and percentages of vacant homes in a community as variable factors that determined the degree of communities' access to supermarkets. Within the United States, academic scholars have proposed several different causes behind

9912-448: The highest rate of heart attacks.Together with the EHC, the community has reached out to officials to establish a city garden to combat food insecurity found within the city. A community garden has been considered as option to combat the food insecurity. The EHC intends to continue working with Old Town so that they longer have food desert status. In 2018, the EHC achieved its goal of cleaner air and public health in Barrio Logan by reducing

10030-447: The implementation of stricter penalties and enforcement for future reference. They recommend a truck route. The Arroyo Alamar river originates from Eastern San Diego County and is one of Tijuana's last native wildlife hotspots. Human emissions has led to a decline in biodiversity , including the loss of habitats for waterfowl, mammals, marine life, amphibians, and crustaceans. The area is also known for maintaining air quality within

10148-479: The initial tumor is usually painless. Some cancers can cause a buildup of fluid within the chest or abdomen . Systemic symptoms may occur due to the body's response to the cancer. This may include fatigue, unintentional weight loss, or skin changes. Some cancers can cause a systemic inflammatory state that leads to ongoing muscle loss and weakness, known as cachexia . Some cancers, such as Hodgkin's disease , leukemias , and liver or kidney cancers , can cause

10266-463: The intersecting spheres of community food options (supermarkets, small stores, etc.); work/school/home food options (school food, home purchases); and individual food intake, all of which determine an individual's health outcome. Likewise, individual characteristics such as demographics, socioeconomic status, the physical environment (retail access, transportation, etc), and households' social environments (cultural/social norms, etc) all impact diet, which

10384-441: The lungs. Other substances in this category, including both naturally occurring and synthetic asbestos-like fibers, such as wollastonite , attapulgite , glass wool and rock wool , are believed to have similar effects. Non-fibrous particulate materials that cause cancer include powdered metallic cobalt and nickel and crystalline silica ( quartz , cristobalite and tridymite ). Usually, physical carcinogens must get inside

10502-530: The main reason for food insecurity since its people cannot afford the food that they would prefer to eat. Climate change can play role in urban food deserts because it directly affects accessibility. The main way that climate change affects food security and food deserts is by reducing the production of food. With the limited availability of a product, the price rises making it unavailable to those that cannot afford more expensive commodities. In Cape Town specifically, supermarkets rely directly on fresh produce from

10620-475: The modern medical sense around 1600. Cancers comprise a large family of diseases that involve abnormal cell growth with the potential to invade or spread to other parts of the body. They form a subset of neoplasms . A neoplasm or tumor is a group of cells that have undergone unregulated growth and will often form a mass or lump, but may be distributed diffusely. All tumor cells show the six hallmarks of cancer . These characteristics are required to produce

10738-756: The more harmful fumes like benzene. The EHC is currently assisting landscaping workers in bringing legislation to their local governments. Lead pollution in schools is a common problem in San Diego County. There were several schools in a mainly Latinx community that were unaware of the presence of lead in their water systems. As for the children and adults that were exposed, there is little to be done medically about lead poisoning. These children and adults are at risk of brain damage, slow learning, and poor behavioral problems. Houses in this community are also plagued with lead in their water, paint, toys, etc. The EHC and residents know lead to be prevalent because most of

10856-585: The nearby farm area. Climate change affects the production of food, and it can also damage capital assets that affect accessibility and utilization. Specifically in Cape Town, access to food deserts does not change their severity. With limited diversity in their diets, those who live in Cape Town are highly dependent on foods of low nutritional value and high calorific value. Using the European or American definition of food deserts would not take into account

10974-401: The necessary assets to procure. In Cape Town , South Africa , supermarkets take up a large portion of retail space. While supermarkets are expanding in poor neighborhoods in Cape Town, their food insecurity is growing at an alarming rate. That is one of the biggest roadblocks in understanding food deserts. Based on the European or American understanding of food deserts, the fact that there

11092-406: The need of any person of race and class especially the low-income communities of color in Barrio Logan, City Heights, and National City. The MTS Board of Directors have already approved a plan to transition to 100% bus electrification by 2040. They are starting this plan by prioritizing having pollution-free buses in communities that have experienced the most impacts of greenhouses emissions. Through

11210-521: The neighborhood has a higher Black population. This effect may result from white flight or from more limited access to transportation in the Black community. In the early 2020s, new food deserts were created after shoplifting and looting in neighborhoods in the U.S. cities of Chicago , Minneapolis , Philadelphia , Pittsburgh , San Francisco , and Seattle . A 2009 study stated that people tend to make food choices based on what

11328-428: The neighborhood's buildings were built before 1978. The EHC was in charge of the investigation and damage control of this lead poisoning outbreak. They notified residents of medical risks, and recommended methods for lead detection. Barrio Logan is a neighborhood in San Diego that is concentrated with waste and recycling facilities, an interstate running through it, and an outdated city plan. The community of Barrio Logan

11446-506: The new store had opened. The results showed that nearly half of the food desert residents began shopping at the newly built store, but only modest improvements in diet were recorded. A similar pilot study conducted by Cummins et al. focused on a community that was funded by the Pennsylvania Fresh Food Financing Initiative. It followed up after a grocery store was built in a food desert to assess

11564-507: The non-ionizing medium wave UVB , as the cause of most non-melanoma skin cancers , which are the most common forms of cancer in the world. Non-ionizing radio frequency radiation from mobile phones, electric power transmission and other similar sources has been described as a possible carcinogen by the World Health Organization 's International Agency for Research on Cancer . Evidence, however, has not supported

11682-462: The onset of cancer, though it may worsen outcomes in those who already have cancer. Environmental or lifestyle factors that caused cancer to develop in an individual can be identified by analyzing mutational signatures from genomic sequencing of tumor DNA. For example, this can reveal if lung cancer was caused by tobacco smoke, if skin cancer was caused by UV radiation, or if secondary cancers were caused by previous chemotherapy treatment. Cancer

11800-425: The original is called the primary tumor. Almost all cancers can metastasize. Most cancer deaths are due to cancer that has metastasized. Metastasis is common in the late stages of cancer and it can occur via the blood or the lymphatic system or both. The typical steps in metastasis are: Different types of cancers tend to metastasize to particular organs. Overall, the most common places for metastases to occur are

11918-548: The other stressors of life as well as the additional frustration or guilt that comes with not being able to feed themselves or their family. In 2017, Steven Cummins proposed that food availability is not the problem, but eating habits are. In 2005, Pearson et al. urged food policy to focus on the social and cultural barriers to healthy eating. For instance, New York City's public-private Healthy Bodegas Initiative has aimed to encourage bodegas to carry milk and fresh produce and residents to purchase and consume them. In addition to

12036-869: The previous decade increases of 26% and 21%, respectively. The most common types of cancer in males are lung cancer , prostate cancer , colorectal cancer , and stomach cancer . In females, the most common types are breast cancer , colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and cervical cancer . If skin cancer other than melanoma were included in total new cancer cases each year, it would account for around 40% of cases. In children, acute lymphoblastic leukemia and brain tumors are most common, except in Africa, where non-Hodgkin lymphoma occurs more often. In 2012, about 165,000 children under 15 years of age were diagnosed with cancer. The risk of cancer increases significantly with age, and many cancers occur more commonly in developed countries. Rates are increasing as more people live to an old age and as lifestyle changes occur in

12154-403: The process of healing, rather than directly by the trauma. However, repeated injuries to the same tissues might promote excessive cell proliferation, which could then increase the odds of a cancerous mutation. Chronic inflammation has been hypothesized to directly cause mutation. Inflammation can contribute to proliferation, survival, angiogenesis and migration of cancer cells by influencing

12272-473: The real conversation can begin." Access to food options is not the only barrier to healthier diets and improved health outcomes. Wrigley et al. collected data before and after a food desert intervention to explore factors affecting supermarket choice and perceptions regarding healthy diet in Leeds, United Kingdom. Pretests were administered prior to a new store opening and post-tests were delivered two years after

12390-618: The risk due to other infections, sometimes up to several thousand fold (in the case of Kaposi's sarcoma ). Importantly, vaccination against hepatitis B and human papillomavirus have been shown to nearly eliminate risk of cancers caused by these viruses in persons successfully vaccinated prior to infection. These environmental factors act, at least partly, by changing the genes of a cell. Typically, many genetic changes are required before cancer develops. Approximately 5–10% of cancers are due to inherited genetic defects. Cancer can be detected by certain signs and symptoms or screening tests. It

12508-411: The same level as some sedans and could be as harmful or more so as cars by 2020. Some of these machines can emit particles smaller than 0.1 micron in size. Particles like these can cause cancer and lung disease and are unregulated by the government. Masks for these particles and fumes are available but may not be very accessible for workers in poor communities and some of the masks don't account for some of

12626-508: The social determinants of individuals' health outcomes. Scholars have asserted that while these studies can give insight into how food accessibility can contribute to health outcomes, because of the intersecting social determinants of health that contribute to individual health outcomes, the results cannot be interpreted as a casual relationship between food deserts and poor health outcomes. Food deserts are just one aspect of people's individual food environments: food environments consist of

12744-494: The store's impact. The study found that "simply building new food retail stores may not be sufficient to promote behavior change related to diet." Studies like those show that living close to a store that is stocked with fruits and vegetables does not make a large impact on food choices. A separate survey also found that supermarket and grocery store availability did not generally correlate with diet quality and fresh food intake. Pearson et al. further confirmed that physical access

12862-440: The sufficiency of financial resources available to acquire it." Rural areas tend have higher food insecurity than urban areas because food choices in rural areas are often restricted, with transportation being needed to access a major supermarket or a food supply that offers a wide, healthy variety of foods. Smaller convenience stores typically do not offer as much produce. It is critical to look at car ownership in relation to

12980-773: The supermarkets were reported to have closed due to this shift in demographics. Supermarket redlining has been proposed as a cause of lower access to supermarkets that is characteristic of some scholarly definitions of food deserts. The concept describes how large chain supermarkets tend to relocate out of or refrain from opening stores in inner-city areas or impoverished neighborhoods due to perceived urban and economic obstacles, decreasing certain communities' access to supermarkets. Businesses' perceived urban obstacles include decreased demand compared to suburban neighborhoods, higher land, wage, and utility costs, and increased crime in urban areas. Economic factors such as supply and demand that businesses take into consideration are affected by

13098-459: The surrounding area due to the few green spaces found here. The EHC have been working to preserve the land and to prevent further construction and habitat destruction by hosting educational tours for the community in order to generate public awareness. San Diego's transit system plays an important role for families, economy, health, and environment. However, many working families in San Diego County are struggling to access job opportunities, visit

13216-400: The tumor, known as paraneoplastic syndromes . Common paraneoplastic syndromes include hypercalcemia , which can cause altered mental state , constipation and dehydration, or hyponatremia , which can also cause altered mental status, vomiting, headaches, or seizures. Metastasis is the spread of cancer to other locations in the body. The dispersed tumors are called metastatic tumors, while

13334-461: The type of cancer and extent of disease at the start of treatment. In children under 15 at diagnosis, the five-year survival rate in the developed world is on average 80%. For cancer in the United States, the average five-year survival rate is 66% for all ages. In 2015, about 90.5 million people worldwide had cancer. In 2019, annual cancer cases grew by 23.6 million people, and there were 10 million deaths worldwide, representing over

13452-569: The use of grassroots campaigns to eliminate consequences of toxic pollution, discriminatory land use, and unsustainable energy policies. The Environmental Health Coalition was part of a Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR) and was tasked with helping to determine the effects of industry in Old Town National City, CA, United States . The CBPR was a study that investigated linkages between community focused work and policy development. The EHC believes that its research has led

13570-405: The way for a media focused campaign to increase the awareness of the problems that the community faced. It was able to utilize quantitative and qualitative data to increase the community's awareness. In this way, the EHC tries to give the residents of Old Town a better understanding of the policy that affects them, as well as alternatives to these policies. For over 10 years, the EHC has worked with

13688-428: The whole food system, along with race, geography, faith, and economics." Researchers employ a variety of methods to assess food deserts including directories and census data, focus groups, food store assessments, food use inventories, geographic information system (GIS), interviews, questionnaires and surveys measuring consumers' food access perceptions. Differences in the definition of a food desert vary according to

13806-535: Was already limited prior to the storm. The Storm increased racial-disparities in food access and access to supermarkets. The primary criterion for a food desert is its proximity to a healthy food market. When such a market is in reach for its residents, a food desert ceases to exist, but that does not mean that residents will now choose to eat healthily. A longitudinal study of food deserts in JAMA Internal Medicine shows that supermarket availability

13924-573: Was founded in 1980 originally under the name Coalition Against Cancer . The initial focus of the EHC was to clean up toxic waste sites like the 38th and Alpha street dumps. In 1983, EHC launched the Household Toxics Project, which focuses on identifying and removing harmful toxins in houses in local San Diego residences. In 1986, the EHC co-sponsored the Tijuana Toxics Conference, and in the same year, launched

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