UNIVERSITY OF THE

PEOPLE
COURSE: COMMUNITY
AND PUBLIC HEALTH
December 7 2022
th

WRITTEN

ASSIGNMENT UNIT 4
 Introduction

Between the three readings, there is an understanding that social capital, social inequities, and

the built environment play a vital role in our health and health outcomes. At the intersection of

these three concepts are our communities and neighborhoods. Using the assigned readings,

describe your neighborhood and community. Describe linkages between the social environment

and the built environment (e.g. having sidewalks or parks in a neighborhood.) How does your

environment align with concepts of social capital? What role does the 'built environment' play a

role in health and health outcomes in your community? 

It is every individual dream to live in a safe and comfortable community that can positively

impact their lives and family lives. In this week's assignment, I will be focusing on the

importance and influence that social capital, social inequities, and the built environment can have

on our lives. In every community, there is that special group of people who have a sense of

togetherness. 

Social capital is very important in every community in my country there is always something fun

happening some of these activities are called street vibes, Friday night, and other fun activities.

In Saint Lucia, social capital is very important to us. There is always a social group where we

can trust each other and stand together for each other’s benefit. Begin from the workplace to the

church, school, and communities. Social capital has helped the rate of suicide in the country it

has also created a better relationship among young people which have to decrease the rate of

crime in the communities and the country in general. For example, no Stanger cannot come from

another community and create problems in our community we are so together and the bond is so

strong, we always stand united. 

To continue social inequities speak of the condition where people have unequal access to valued

resources, services, and positions in the society” (Kerbo, 2003, p. 11)

Here in my community social inequities are very important for us no matter the class or the

status of the individual. Everyone supports each other as w we have to same rights as all the

service providers same right in the restaurant and the marketplace. The community always

encourages and supports young people to grow and become a businessman and businesswomen.

We have a very good bond in our community and that what make the community safe ad

comfortable for everyone. We believe no matter the race, status, or religion everyone has the

right to live a fair and comfortable life.

The built environment is the area of the definite physical places made by the people that live

there for the people that live there (Northridge et al., 2003)

 Building environment is the human needs in a country to survive, built environment is

considered to support habitat and lifestyle. The built environment has also contributed to the

individuals and the community's well-being. 

I live in a community where there is always a lot happening, the community I live in is suburban.

It is a very respectful area with the lowest rate of crime in the country. It is a very busy

community in terms of the activities that are happening. We have an international stadium here;

this is where sporting activities take place whenever international sports and games are

happening. we have a sidewalk almost everyone in the community owns 1 vehicle or more,

therefore, the sidewalk is very useful for the school children to walk safely, we also have we

have many apartments and building around the stadium that is 10 minutes away from my

apartment, we have a polyclinic, health centers, police station, fire station, many sporting fields,

there is a big Pentecostal church right by the road. We have both primary and secondary schools.
My community is a high-income community. Houses and land are very expensive here you find

this community attracts people with a profession like doctors lawyers, police, and other high-

paying jobs hence the reason it is a very quiet zone. The people do not even have time to stay

home. The community is an industrial complex place. We have many big buildings and

apartments along with housing, there are also parks, shopping centers, restaurants, convenience

stores, and daycares. The is a center where people can rent to hold different celebrations so there

are always activities happening. The people are very nice always greetings and being kind to

each other. It is very difficult for someone to come and commit a crime or do something bad

because the community has a crime watch and everyone always looking out for each other. We

also have a large number of police officers who reside here. Although my community is not that

big a lot is happening. 

Compared to larger urban communities with much more people and assets s. where a fast life and

more activities are happening and where people don’t check on each other and in some cases

people do die in their houses for days no one notices the absence my neighbors here are in

contact with one another and make each other feel safe. 

The built environment in my community has been playing an important role in the health and

health outcomes of the people. Since my community is safe it has contributed to the people

tremendously. According to research people who have a good relationship and family support are

also socially involved in their environment and are more likely to live healthier and longer. They

will not be prone to sicknesses like depression, high blood pressure, heart attack, and other

chronic illness. 

Conclusion 
To conclude people in my community live very long, for example we have many senior citizens

who are in their 90s I strongly believe the safety of the community has a lot to do with it. My

community has many people who are living longer and well because they are satisfied and

pleased as they know that they are living in a safe and positive area /environment. The network

leads to the positivity of the health sector with the contribution of the professionals' healthcare

staff with have in the several medical clinics right here nearby. The school activities are also

very good and the sporting activities do contribute to the caring network here.
 References

Kerbo, H. R. (2003). Social stratification and inequality. Class conflict in

historical, comparative, and global perspective. Boston: McGrawHill

Northridge, M. E., & Sclar, E. (2003). A joint urban planning and public health framework:

Contributions to health impact assessment. American Journal of Public Health, 93(1),

118-21. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1447705/