medical-sociology-2017-keynote

3 / 6

Volume 7, Issue 4 (Suppl) J Community Med Health Educ, an open access journal
ISSN:2161-0711 Medical Sociology 2017
September 25-26, 2017
Page 27
conferenceseries.com
September 25-26, 2017 | Atlanta, USA
2nd World Congress on
Medical Sociology & Community Health
ENVIRONMENTALHEALTH, POVERTYAND DISASTER RISK REDUCTION
Statement of the Problem: The United Nations General Assembly adopted the 2030 Development Agenda titled Transforming
our world: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development on September 25, 2015. It outlines 17 Sustainable Development Goals
the first of which calls for an end to “poverty in all its forms everywhere.” Various studies have, however, indicated that the
multifaceted forces, both internal and external, which work together to generate and sustain the circumstances of pervasive
poverty universally have yet to be properly understood.
Methodology &Theoretical Orientation: The purpose of this presentation is to examine how some of these forces, especially
those related to environmental degradation, pitiable environmental health conditions and vulnerability of the underprivileged
to disasters of all types, are major hindrances to the abolition of poverty in all places. It also analyzes the complex fundamental
causes influencing the vulnerability of people and social structures.
Findings, Conclusion&Significance: Disasters, unplanned urban development, ecosystemdegradation, and fragile livelihoods
undermine the sustainable development of communities. So do inequalities; weak institutions (poor governance, political
instability, underdeveloped financial markets, and lack of supportive institutional and policy environments); unresponsive
legal and regulatory frameworks; inadequate infrastructural development (including food and nutrition insecurity; inadequate
water supply, squalid sanitary conditions and poor waste management; widespread illiteracy and underdeveloped information
and communication technologies; lack of healthcare facilities and medical networks; inefficient transport networks; and lack
of safeguards of urban areas against erosion, flooding, landslides, and disasters); as well as insufficient formal structures for
environmental sustainability and climate change (such as meager information management systems; almost nonexistence of
relevant public education amongst government and community-based agencies).
Recommendations: There is a need for a comprehensive and integrative approach to public policy formulation and implantation
that encompasses development planning, human development and disaster risk reduction. This should be addressed through
multi-level government and grassroots community efforts, cross-sector initiatives and global actions.
Biography
Adenrele Awotona is a Professor of Urban Planning and Community Studies, he is the founder and Director of the Center for Rebuilding Sustainable Communities after
Disasters and a former Dean of the College of Public and Community Service at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, USA. He was previously a Director of Studies
for the British Council International Seminars (“Reconstruction after disasters”) in the UK where he has also served at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne as a Director
of Graduate Studies in architecture and urban design. Through research, consultancy and teaching, he has professional experience in several countries in five continents.
Similarly, he has been a principal investigator on major research projects funded by various agencies in the USAand UK.Astream of publications has, therefore, emanated
from his research and consultancy services. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge, UK and a Certificate from Harvard University’s Institute of Management
and Leadership in Education.
Adenrele Awotona
University of Massachusetts Boston, USA
Adenrele Awotona, J Community Med Health Educ 2017, 7:4 (Suppl)
DOI: 10.4172/2161-0711-C1-026