Investigation of the Relationship between Environmental Conditions and Public Health in Developing Countries from a Psychological Perspective
Juah Lee *
Environmental Sciences Division/ STEM Science Center, 111 Charlotte Place/Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632, USA.
Si Ah Jang
Environmental Sciences Division/ STEM Science Center, 111 Charlotte Place/Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632, USA.
Alice Lee
Environmental Sciences Division/ STEM Science Center, 111 Charlotte Place/Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632, USA.
Suina Suh
Environmental Sciences Division/ STEM Science Center, 111 Charlotte Place/Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632, USA.
Dania Jeon
Environmental Sciences Division/ STEM Science Center, 111 Charlotte Place/Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632, USA.
Junyoung Bae
Environmental Sciences Division/ STEM Science Center, 111 Charlotte Place/Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632, USA.
Grace Lim
Environmental Sciences Division/ STEM Science Center, 111 Charlotte Place/Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632, USA.
Celine Chong
Environmental Sciences Division/ STEM Science Center, 111 Charlotte Place/Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632, USA.
Solbeen Kim
Environmental Sciences Division/ STEM Science Center, 111 Charlotte Place/Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632, USA.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The surrounding landscapes and environmental conditions significantly influence humans psychologically, physically, and in quality of life. By examining both environmental conditions and overall human health, it is possible to enhance health support and implement more effective policies. Landscape affects human beings significantly in various aspects, including political, aesthetic, health, and well-being. Although the previous studies focus on developed countries, fewer studies have been conducted in third-world countries. This paper aims to investigate the impact of everyday environmental conditions on health in third-world countries, specifically through the lens of environmental psychology. Data were collected through field research in Guatemala. Generally, suburban and rural areas with suitable environmental conditions have a positive health effect compared to urban areas with poor environmental conditions. Our results suggested that these effects include mental health improvements, physical illness recovery, and overall well-being. Our study advocates for stronger governmental support and increased public awareness regarding the influence of environmental conditions on overall health to reduce emissions and improve both environmental quality and health outcomes.
Keywords: Carbon monoxide perturbation, environmental conditions, psychological relation, urbanization