Habitat and health: The role of environmental factors in the health of urban populations

The findings of Dr. Fullilove, as well as the success of Zap Asthma and the campaign against lead poisoning, are strong arguments against all three of the mind-sets mentioned above. They show that urban deterioration is largely a product of economic forces, not of some moral failure of urban residents, and that money spent on improving an urban environment has the collateral effect of giving residents the sense of hope and optimism and the feeling that they area contributing to their health, which will make them better stewards of that environment. They show the importance of tapping into the energy and interests of the community, while at the same time addressing political resistance to helping disadvantaged communities. They show that progress takes time, and that successful programs try to improve an existing community rather than making it over at once. They show that urban problems are manageable. And, they show that community groups and outside agencies can accomplish a great deal by working together and putting aside the parochial differences and mutual mistrust that grow out of the Alamo syndrome.