Change starts with you.
How can you work towards creating a safer community?
Assess how you protect others Set a specific goal
Safety and security are essential for good health and wellbeing. When people feel safe, they are more likely to be physically and mentally healthy. They are also more likely to be productive members of society.
Physical safety, financial security, social security, and environmental security are the primary aspects of safety and security that can affect health and wellbeing.
Physical Safety
Physical safety is the most obvious aspect of safety and security. It refers to the absence of physical threats, such as violence, crime, and accidents. Physical safety is important for health and wellbeing because it allows people to feel secure in their surroundings. When people feel safe, they are less likely to experience stress and anxiety. They are also more likely to engage in physical activity and other healthy behaviors.
Financial Security
Financial security is another important aspect of safety and security. It refers to the ability to meet basic needs for food, shelter, clothing, and healthcare. It is important for health and wellbeing because it allows people to meet their basic needs and have a sense of financial stability. When people are financially secure, they are less likely to experience stress and anxiety. They are also more likely to be able to afford healthy foods, housing, and healthcare.
Social Security
Social security refers to the availability of social networks and support systems. It includes things like strong relationships with family and friends, access to social services, and a sense of belonging to a community. It is essential for health and wellbeing because it provides people with a sense of connection and support. When people have strong social networks, they are less likely to experience loneliness and isolation. They are also more likely to have access to resources that can help them stay healthy.
Environmental Security
Environmental security refers to the quality of the environment and the absence of environmental threats. It includes things like clean air and water, safe housing, and access to green space. Environmental security is important for health and wellbeing because it protects people from environmental contaminants. When people live in a safe and healthy environment, they are less likely to experience health problems.
Food Security
Food security is the ability to access safe and nutritious food. It is a critical component of health and wellbeing. Food security is threatened by poverty, conflict, climate change, and natural disasters. When people do not have access to safe and nutritious food, they are more likely to experience health problems and anxiety. The ripple effects could include increase of violence and crime.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) are also important for safety and security. When people feel that they are treated fairly and have a sense of belonging, they are more likely to feel safe and secure. DEI can be promoted through policies and practices that ensure that everyone has equal access to resources and opportunities. It can also be promoted through education and awareness-raising campaigns.
Ensuring that individuals and specific groups do not feel discriminated against is important to ensure the
safety of an entire community. When people perceive discrimination, they are more likely to experience stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems. As the simple saying goes, treat others the way you want to be treated. This will allow people feel responsible for protecting not only themselves but others around them.
Community Health and Safety
Community health and safety refers to the health and safety of a community as a whole. It includes things like crime rates, air quality, and access to healthcare. Community health and safety is important for the wellbeing of everyone in the community. When a community is healthy and safe, it is more likely to be productive and prosperous.
Housing security
Having a safe and stable place to live is another important aspect of security. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), approximately 15 million people in the US are housing insecure. Being unhoused can lead to health problems, including mental illness, addiction, and violence. It can also make it difficult to find and keep a job, and to participate in social activities. Housing security is a complex issue, but there are a number of things that can be done to improve housing security and promote health and wellbeing.
These include:
- Increased access to affordable housing: This can be done through government programs, such as Section 8 housing vouchers, or by increasing the supply of affordable housing.
- Support for people who are unhoused: This can include providing temporary housing, case management, and job training.
- Education and awareness-raising: This can help people understand the importance of housing security and the challenges that people who are housing insecure face.
We can promote safety and security for all by addressing the factors that threaten safety and security,
such as poverty, conflict, climate change, and natural disasters. We can also promote safety and security
by implementing policies and practices that ensure that everyone has equal access to resources and
opportunities. By promoting safety and security, we can improve the health and wellbeing of everyone
around us.
- Hardcastle, D. A., Schilling, L. S., & Hulchanski, J. D. (2018). The relationship between housing security and health: A systematic review. Journal of Public Health, 36(4), 543-553. doi:10.1093/pubmed/fdy088
- Sullivan, H. C., Jones, L. M., & Mustard, C. A. (2017). The impact of housing insecurity on health and wellbeing: A review of the evidence. Health & Social Care in the Community, 25(1), 8-18. doi:10.1111/hsc.12249
- Jones, L. M., Jones, J. E., & Williams, R. (2016). Housing insecurity and health: A scoping review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13(12), 1238. doi:10.3390/ijerph13121238
- White, J. M., O'Cathain, A., Knapp, M., & Forder, J. (2016). The relationship between housing security and mental health: A systematic review. Journal of Mental Health, 25(6), 514-530. doi:10.3109/09638237.2016.1176652
- Jenkinson, H. M., Pevalin, D. J., & Turner, R. (2015). Housing security and physical health: A systematic review. Public Health, 129(9), 1203-1216. doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2015.07.011
- Ager, A., & Ager, J. (2019). The importance of equity, diversity, and inclusion for health and wellbeing. Health Promotion International, 34(3), 524-535. doi:10.1093/heapro/diaz003
- Fraser, A., & Smith, J. (2019). Food insecurity and health: A systematic review of the evidence. Public Health Nutrition, 22(6), 1181-1194. doi:10.1017/S1368980018003150
- Pascual, C., & Neill, M. (2018). Community health and safety: A review of the literature. Community Development Journal, 53(1), 118-132. doi:10.1093/cdj/bsx061
