We asked young scientists from a variety of fields this question: According to the United Nations (http://esa.un.org/unpd/wup/), more than two-thirds of the human population will live in cities by 2050. How can scientists in your field help society prepare for an increasingly urbanized world?
As the world endures increases in urban growth and higher population densities, inhabitants in towns and cities will be exposed to and become more vulnerable to economic, environmental, and social stress. Neuroscientists can help society combat the negative influence of urban living on inhabitants’ brain biology by using research to determine how economic, environmental, and social stressors translate into cognitive and mental disorders, including anxiety and depression. Findings from the research can be used as a foundation to work with local community organizations and urban planning and governmental entities to promote and implement public health strategies that can reduce the risk for brain disorders in urban areas. One potential public health strategy can be the development of comprehensive wellness centers in places of employment and near housing units. The centers main purpose should be improving physical, mental, and social well being on an individual and community level. Thus, the wellness centers should provide urban residents with feasible and affordable mechanisms for: (i) increased food and water security and access; (ii) engaging in healthy behaviors and the cash economy and maintaining wealth; (iii) reducing environmental pollution and poor hygiene, (iv) personal, professional, and educational development regardless of socioeconomic background, age, ethnicity, or gender; (v) adequate and improved housing conditions; and (vi) a sense of community and belonging on the job or in or near the home. This will enable these centers to advocate for the welfare and sustainability of rapidly urbanizing communities.
Joyonna Carrie Gamble-George
Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37210, USA
Full Response: http://science.sciencemag.org/content/suppl/2016/05/18/352.6288.886.DC1
Source: Science. 20 May 2016: Vol. 352, Issue 6288, pp. 886-889. DOI: 10.1126/science.aag1520.
Publisher: The American Association for the Advancement of Science.
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