AFL/SOC 161: Urban Health Assignment - Traumatic Stressors & Injury

This assignment addresses urban health challenges, specifically focusing on traumatic stressors within the context of Manhattan, New York City. The solution explores the stressors, including natural disasters, terrorism, and high unemployment rates, and their consequences, such as mental stress, increased crime, and drug abuse. The assignment agrees with research highlighting the significant impact of traumatic injuries on public health, referencing the September 11th attacks as a prime example. The analysis emphasizes the adverse effects of these stressors on the mental and physical health of vulnerable populations, underscoring the need for adequate services and support in densely populated urban environments. The document is a response to an assignment brief focusing on the prevalence of exposure to traumatic stressors, mental and physical health-related consequences, and the significance of traumatic injury as a public health issue in the United States.

Running Head: URBAN HEALTH 1
URBAN HEALTH
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Urban health
a) What are the Traumatic Stressors in Urban Settings? Answer the question in the
Manhattan context.
As one of the New York City boroughs, Manhattan city as referred to by the residents,
acts as the economic and administrative center of New York County. As such, the city is densely
populated and therefore experience arrange of social problems (Lee, 2019). These stressors in
most cases lead to traumatic injuries to the victims. For instance, natural disasters such as
flooding during winter poses a lot of challenges to the residents residing in areas with poor
drainage systems. In most cases terrorists attack the vulnerable in towns, they are held hostage
against their will, some are killed in the process. Despite some victims surviving, they remain
traumatized to the extent that they are afraid to walk freely in the streets and even report to their
work places. This is leading to mental stress for the victims and their families. Due to high
population in Manhattan the rate of unemployment is high and so is the rate of criminal
activities, (Lee, 2015)
b) Traumatic injury is a major public health problem in the United States. Discuss whether
you agree/disagree with this statement. Be sure to give specific reasons.
Therefore, I agree with researches carried out in the recent past stating that these
traumatic injuries caused by social stressors always have adverse effects on public health of the
people affected. In United States for instance, in September 11, 2001 also referred to as ‘911’ by
Americans, experienced the largest act of terror in history (Kantor, 2017). A total of 2800 people
were killed, those who watched the event unfolding were traumatized as well as friends and

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family of the victims. This unfortunate turn of event affected about 44% of Americans as they
exhibited one to five symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Due to unemployment, a good number of people in USA feel neglected, they resort in
criminal acts and drug abuse ("2. The People of New York City," 2017). Majority become
addicts and drug dependence hence rise in criminal activities. In conclusion, high population
culminated by lack of adequate and sufficient services to town dwellers expose them to social
stressors that can be traumatizing. Mental and physical health of the vulnerable in society are
always in danger as they try to survive.
References
2. The People of New York City. (2017). New York City, 1664-1710, 32-57.
doi:10.7591/9780801468926-006
Kantor, P. (2017). Terrorism and Governability in New York City. War on Terrorism, 99-
106. doi:10.4324/9781315234403-7
Lee. (2015). Child Welfare Practice in Domestic Violence Cases in New York City:
Problems for Poor Women of Color. Women, Gender, and Families of Color, 3(1),
58. doi:10.5406/womgenfamcol.3.1.0058
Lee, K. (2019). New York City. Urban Health, 309-315.
doi:10.1093/oso/9780190915858.003.0033

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