Geography Reference
In-Depth Information
in the body and cause certain genes in some people to malfunction in later years,
resulting in the body being attacked by its own immune system. This problem in
early gestation means that adding vitamin D later in life does not solve the problem.
It has also been argued that this vitamin also seems to be essential in providing
adequate amounts of serotonin in the brain, which have been shown to be low in
autistic children who have low empathy levels, which provides an explanation for
the higher incidence of the disease with males and those born in late winter (Patrick
and Ames
2014
).
Although AI research is still in its infancy, recommendations to combat their
increase are emerging. One is the recommendation that pregnant women eat more
natural sources of vitamin D in fruits and vegetables and take supplements of the
vitamin. This research also suggests that the accepted wisdom since the late 1960s
of reducing exposure to sunlight because of the risk of skin cancer needs to be modi-
fied, for moderate exposure amounts is needed to reduce the subsequent increase of
susceptibility to these AI diseases.
It seems likely that a gradual decrease in exposure to sun due to sun avoidance behaviours
in Western societies (sunscreen, clothing, sun avoidance, increased time spent indoors)
reached a critical level in the early 1970s, such that humans were not spending enough
time outdoors and vitamin D levels reached acutely low levels. Vitamin D is essential to
the normal functioning of the human immune system. (Litonjua and Weiss
2007
, p. 747)
All these suggestions seem especially applicable to the poorest population, often
in overcrowded parts of cities with few park spaces. Although attempts have been
made to ensure poor mothers and their children are provided with vouchers for
fruit, vegetables and free vitamins, such as in Britain's Healthy Start programme
for children at risk, it has been reported that less than 10 % used this opportunity—a
depressing and unnecessary result attributed to gaps in supply chains, delivery sys-
tems and poor staff training (Michie
2013
).
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Solutions
All these emerging problems may be amenable to further breakthroughs in medi-
cal research and the greater spread of effective care. But as the cases of the failure
of some antibiotics and the aging population in particular indicate, there are huge
problems developing that will need a great deal of research work to combat. More-
over, if infectious diseases cannot be controlled by antibiotics, the historic danger
of diseases spreading by contagion in large urban areas will re-emerge. This risk is
reinforced by the new fast transports of air and train, including cramped subway
systems, which crowd people into what are effectively sealed containers and deliver
them to far flung destinations where they quickly and anonymously disperse into
the larger settlements and may infect populations not used to the diseases they may
carry. Also, other emerging health problems, such as AI diseases, seem to have an
association with our increased urban living. These negative effects of urban living
mean there should be a major emphasis on providing healthier urban behaviours
and environments.
