Environmental Networking Platform for Children and Youth by SAMSUNG E&A
Stay connected with Eco-generation :
| Share 
| 
- Home >
- Our Actions >
- Ambassador report
4
Comments
Babies and the Air |
|---|
|
The Economist Magazine published a story on April 4, 2015, which detailed the effects of the environment on a baby's health (Unequal Beginnings, Issue 8932, Volume 415). It may see evident to some that environmental influences may cause poor health, but it may surprise some of us that environmental influences, like bad air, dirty water, and junk food consumed by a pregnant mother may actually switch on genes that will contribute to the infant's poor health when he / she develops into an adult. The nature / nurture debate is skewed in the favour of nature, for if a mother's environment is bad, then what becomes of the child except misery and coughs, followed by visits to the doctor daily?
For example, according to the article, Swedes born in the months after the 1986 Chernobyl disaster in Ukraine, which had sent clouds of "radiation-bearing cloud dust" across Europe, were 40% more likely to fail in middle school compared to those born before the disaster. Babies born to women who were pregnant during the Spanish flu outbreak of 1918 did worse in school and were earning less than those slightly older or younger. The most important period, the article contends, is the first 1000 days - the first nine months in the womb, two years outside the womb - which will make or break a child's destiny. This is what must guide government policy making, to prevent inequality, which really begins inside AND outside the womb. But what should governments do? Indeed, the problems of inequality has torn us apart since the days of Marx and Smith. Since we now know that pregnant mothers are actually affected by environment influences, which in turn transmit future biological privileges (or setbacks) to foetuses, then government policies must simply start at the onset of the discovery of pregnancy. For example, nutritious food can be delivered to mothers to ensure that the foetus receives all its nutrients necessary to develop itself. But the environment! The confluence of air, water, living conditions, and the supply for healthcare affects the health of a baby. Therefore, it should be recognized that pregnant women should be offered a slightly better environment to stay in for the first nine months of their pregnancy. They could housed them in specially-built "Moms' Homes" with air conditioning, great views of nature, good food, and happy entertainment, so that their babies will turn out healthy (happy mommy = happy baby). This may need higher taxes, but this will be offset by the decreased social spending and healthcare, as babies will be healthier, and do not require too much healthcare! Nobody likes excessive government intervention and taxes. They stifle innovation and growth, and occasionally, government help does not go to where it is supposed to. However, the motive of much government intervention is to level the playing field for each human. If anti-inequality policies can start at pregnancy, then level off towards adulthood, then the world will be free to develop its energies towards innovation and economic growth as a whole, instead of taxing too much, spending too much.
|
|
|
|
|
Previous : Travel by Bicycle
4 Comments
Thank you for the interesting posting Bernard, I enjoyed reading it a lot :) One of my close friends recently got pregnant and she stopped drinking alcohol. But there are so many risks after quitting excessive work and alcohol. Like polluted air, radiation, fine dusts from china and so on. All are closely linked with the environmental pollution. The healthier future generation is another reason added to why we save the environment.
Posted 08-07-2015 13:37
Thank you for the interesting posting Bernard, I enjoyed reading it a lot :) One of my close friends recently got pregnant and she stopped drinking alcohol. But there are so many risks after quitting excessive work and alcohol. Like polluted air, radiation, fine dusts from china and so on. All are closely linked with the environmental pollution. The healthier future generation is another reason added to why we save the environment.
Posted 08-07-2015 13:37
The people nowadays are indeed badly affected by the environment. People nowadays have many health and mental problems due to pollution and the intervention on the nature.
And baby born nowadays have more problem and as you stated it hampers the performance of the youth. Thank you Bernard for sharing about this critical issue and citing about the report.
Posted 08-07-2015 13:31
Thanks for sharing the news Bernard. It is true that a baby life is completely affected by our environment and moms must be careful about their lifestyle. Keep going!! =)
Posted 07-07-2015 03:55