Bücher von P. Yarram Reddy

There are three groups of factors which are harmful to the health of the urban poor. The first includes the direct effects of poverty i.e. low income, limited education and insufficient diet. The second factor relates to the man-made conditions of the living environment including poor housing, overcrowding, pollution and an increased exposure to infectious diseases. The third factor involves social and psychological problems encompassing instability and insecurity. The excessive vulnerability of the urban poor and their exposure to pathogenic agents means that infectious diseases and malnutrition are severe health problems in slums. The socio-economically disadvantaged in general tend to be more vulnerable, both physically and economically, and this needs to be considered when interpreting environmental health differentials. With their greater levels of exposure to poor sanitation, overcrowded living conditions, inadequate nutrition, social stresses, exposure to environmental pollutants and limited access to health care, they are more likely both to get sick and suffer prolonged periods of illness.

Slums are pockets of poor houses, poor people and poor environment either in the middle or in the periphery of a big city. Dirt, filth and stink fill the whole terrain. In one room the human beings of three generation are huddled together like sardines. The same room is used for cooking, co-habitation and breeding. The area of health and welfare is conspicuous by its absence. Slum has been variously described as a cancer on the body of a city, a veritable hell and utmost form of human degradation. Crimes, vices, diseases and illiteracy consistently show higher degree of occurrence in such surroundings. There are abundant cases of starvation, malnutrition of children, women and the old, unemployment and under employment, exploitation, torture, delinquency, desertion, and heinous crimes. They are devoid of food, sanitation water, electricity, privacy, quietude, and protection against diseases, health, medical care and above all any help. The incidence of low birth weight babies is much higher in slums as compared to average. Consequently, infant death rate is also higher. Low birth weight babies are three times more likely to die in infancy than babies of normal weight at birth.