Physical environment: introduction

Environment has been recognised as a key determinant of health throughout history, and is described as a determinant in many of the current models of health. The important advances in public health in the 19th century were based on controlling the environment, in particular improvements in water supplies and sewerage systems, while in the 20th century improvements in housing reduced overcrowding and its associated diseases (e.g. tuberculosis); similarly, the clean air acts in the latter part of the century significantly reduced the levels of respiratory disease in the population.

The environment in which people live and work can influence health both directly (through toxic, allergenic, or infectious agents) and indirectly through influencing behaviours (e.g. availability of a local environment in which to walk or cycle) and through affecting mental health and well being (which in turn may affect physical health). Links have been made between the related issues of environmental justice and health inequalities. 

In a policy context, the overarching strategy for the environment and health should be addressed by the Scottish Executive’s new strategic framework which is due to be published in autumn 2006, while a raft of policies currently exist around both direct and indirect environmental influences e.g. air quality, water quality, transport, housing, communities, food, sustainable development, biodiversity. Links to some of the more pertinent, and recent, policies and strategies are included in the references page of this section of the website.

The link between indoor environment and health is also very important, and the relevant issues are covered in depth in a recent Health Scotland/Health Protection Scotland report - click here to download file (1.4 mb).