{"id":20273,"date":"2023-02-16T15:49:04","date_gmt":"2023-02-16T20:49:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/?p=20273"},"modified":"2023-03-03T14:35:47","modified_gmt":"2023-03-03T19:35:47","slug":"the-effects-of-water-inequality-on-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/guides\/the-effects-of-water-inequality-on-health\/","title":{"rendered":"The Effects of Water Inequality on Health"},"content":{"rendered":"

When we turn on the tap and get fresh drinking water, it can be easy to forget that people across the globe and in our own communities lack safe, clean access to this crucial resource.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

More than 2 billion people worldwide drink water that is <\/span>contaminated by human waste<\/span><\/a>, without any alternatives. In the United States, 1 million Americans <\/span>lack secure water sources<\/span><\/a>; nearly half of them live in the biggest metropolitan areas in the country. Even in highly developed urban areas, water can be tainted by bacteria or by chemicals like arsenic, fluoride and lead.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Water inequality<\/span><\/a> is more widespread than we think, and it can lead to significant public health consequences.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Who is affected by water inequality?<\/h3>\n

In 2010, the United Nations recognized that access to clean water and sanitation is as fundamental a human right as life, liberty, education and freedom of expression. However, communities around the globe continue to live in circumstances that keep these basic rights out of reach. In the US, minority and low-income populations are more likely to live with <\/span>contaminated tap water<\/span><\/a> or to lack the resources to determine whether their water is safe to drink. The widely recognized water crisis in <\/span>Flint, Michigan<\/span><\/a>, is a powerful example of this pattern. Underserved rural communities without solid infrastructure can also face obstacles to accessing clean water.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Obesity rates<\/h3>\n

Without a reliable source of clean drinking water, people are more likely to turn to bottled beverages for hydration, including sugary sodas. Since highly sweetened drinks can lead to a host of health problems, these communities tend to incur <\/span>disproportionately high rates<\/span><\/a> of childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Oral health<\/h3>\n

While soda is definitely bad for dental health, tap water that lacks adequate amounts of fluoride can also be problematic. A key ingredient in toothpaste and mouthwash, fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that\u2019s present in low levels in most water sources. Because of its benefits, some communities adjust the amount of fluoride in their drinking water to levels that are recommended for oral health.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a move that\u2019s been proven to prevent widespread tooth decay. However, water-disadvantaged communities tend to have <\/span>less access to fluoridation<\/span><\/a>, meaning higher potential for tooth trouble. In those scenarios, good oral hygiene and regular <\/span>visits to the dentist<\/span><\/a> are crucial.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cancer risk<\/h3>\n

The risk of cancer from <\/span>contaminants in drinking water<\/span><\/a> is a nightmare that many people face on a daily basis. Naturally occurring substances like arsenic, fertilizer byproducts like nitrate and even compounds used for water disinfection can be dangerous if they build up in our systems over time.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to always look out for water that appears, tastes or smells strange, and to use a <\/span>household water filter<\/span><\/a> if you\u2019re not sure how your water is sourced. <\/span>Routine cancer screenings<\/span><\/a> are another essential way to minimize the risk of serious illness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Bacterial outbreaks<\/h3>\n

Harmful bacteria and microbes like E. coli exist all around us. These can occasionally make their way into water sources, causing <\/span>acute illness<\/span><\/a> or even death. While most communities routinely disinfect water with small amounts of chlorine to prevent such outbreaks, water-disadvantaged communities don\u2019t always have the resources to complete this process effectively.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Even areas that generally have safe drinking water can be impacted by natural disasters such as hurricanes or floods, making it harder to ensure cleanliness. If you\u2019re worried about a bacterial outbreak in your water, you can <\/span>disinfect it at home<\/span><\/a> by boiling tap water for three minutes or by adding chlorine or iodine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Eye problems<\/h3>\n

Ocular issues, from mild irritation to severe vision loss, can sometimes stem from <\/span>water contamination<\/span><\/a>. While swimming in a heavily chlorinated pool or the site of a recent oil spill can cause inflammation and irritation, drinking water infected by certain kinds of bacteria or parasites can cause long-term degeneration and even blindness.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s a good idea to check in with an <\/span>ophthalmologist<\/span><\/a> from time to time, especially if you live in a water-disadvantaged area. <\/span>Visit a doctor immediately<\/span><\/a> if you experience sudden loss of vision, see straight lines that are suddenly wavy or feel abnormal eye pain.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Mental health<\/h3>\n

The links between water quality and physical health are well documented, but evidence also increasingly suggests that water insecurity <\/span>can impact mental health<\/span><\/a>. Since water is such a crucial part of all life, it makes sense that drought and fear of contamination can cause significant stress, affecting many other facets of behavior.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you live in an area without reliable access to clean, safe water, consider <\/span>consulting a therapist<\/span><\/a>. The right professional can help you work through potential mental and emotional side effects, making the whole situation easier to navigate.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Need a doctor\u2019s appointment? Find one on\u00a0Zocdoc.<\/a><\/h1>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Having access to fresh water is crucial to health. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":92,"featured_media":20129,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[227],"tags":[81,56,93],"class_list":["post-20273","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides","tag-preventive-care","tag-primary-care","tag-public-health","reviewer-dr-nassim-assefi"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Effects of Water Inequality on Health - Guides<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Having access to fresh water is crucial to health.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zocdoc.com\/blog\/guides\/the-effects-of-water-inequality-on-health\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Effects of Water Inequality on Health - 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