Neighborhood News
Joanne Samuel
408
October 31, 2011
Theresa White

Neighborhood News When one think of a neighborhood where residents live it is usually positive, clean, and healthy. In the Neighborhood water is usually safe to drink, and living conditions are healthy. This paper will discuss health issues in the Neighborhood, aquatic creatures found in the lake, and contaminated water supply from pollutants supplied to the residents who live in the Neighborhood. Information communicated to the mayor mentioned that the quality of the water in the lake has pollutants in it and that the lake may not be useable for future generations. Another health concern the Neighborhood residents are worried about secondhand smoking, and there is speak of banning smoking in public areas. The Neighborhood community Center offer classes to those trying to quit smoking.
According to the “Neighborhood News” the officials of the Neighborhood are worried about the concentration of pollutants in the community lake. Many of the residents are worried and concerned that the lake would not be useable for future generations. The mayor voiced his concerns about the future use of the lake but had a more urgent situation other than the water quality of the lake. The mayor informed the residents that he is taking measures to clean up the lake but he refused to address the media regarding the pollution status about the lake.
This is a community health issue because the Neighborhood water source is supplied by the lake and the water may be contaminated from the pollutants in the lake. The entire community is at risk because the Neighborhood water supply comes from the lake. This is an isolated community health issue because the water from the lake supplies the residents in the Neighborhood. The mayor could have used the media to help inform the residents about the condition of the lake and the potential health hazard to the water supply. The residents did not view the lake condition as a health concern and focused their energy on the annual fund raiser event (Run for the Fish).
The Neighborhood officials neglected to investigate the cause of the different aquatic creatures that came from the lake. The officials noticed the increased in the construction of production plants in the area and some suggested that the plants could be contributing to the rise in the pollutants in the lake.
Another health issue mentioned in the community “Smoking breaks a thing of the past?” relates to public health because secondhand smoke from smokers has a direct effect on their health and nonsmokers health (CDC, 2011). The decision for large companies to ban smoke breaks will create a healthier environment in which the employees work. The Neighborhood Community Center offer classes to assist smokers in alternative methods to decrease or cease from smoking. Employers have jumped on the band wagon in promoting decrease and cessation of smoking by prohibiting smoking while at work. Nonsmokers have no problems accepting the no smoke break policy. They welcomed it without objections. Once they understand the discomfort and risk that they impose on their coworkers, they will attempt to adhere to the policy. Nonsmokers exposed to smoke in the workplace are at risk for health issues as well as those who smokes. Speak of banning smoking in the workplace and other public establishment is a positive health trend for those involved parties. Smoking bans help to save lives and reduce the effect of secondhand smoke in the public.
In conclusion, there was an increased concentration of pollutants in the lake water supply and different aquatic creatures were identified in the lake. Because of the contaminated pollutants in the lake water this imposes a health risk for the residents in the Neighborhood as well as secondhand smoking. Secondhand smoking in public places potentiates the risk for health concerns.

Reference
Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2011).Smoking and tobacco use Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/basic_information/index.htm
Stanhope, M. & Lancaster, J. (2008).Public health nursing: Population-centered health care in the community (7th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby Elsevier.