Environmental Justice and Health Risk Exposure (10A) Practice Test

In a rural desert region, the community of Dry Creek depends on a single community well that occasionally runs low. A nearby resort area has multiple wells and storage tanks. Dry Creek residents have lower incomes and fewer political connections.

Water access indicators:

• Days with water restrictions (past year): Dry Creek 26; Resort area 3
• Households reporting skipping handwashing/showering due to water limits: Dry Creek 32%; Resort area 5%
• Reported skin irritation/infection (past 3 months): Dry Creek 14%; Resort area 6%

Which intervention would most likely reduce health disparities described?

A city compares flood-related health risks. Riverside Flats is a low-income neighborhood located in a floodplain with older drainage infrastructure; Hillcrest is higher-income and sits at higher elevation. Over 3 years, Riverside Flats experiences 9 flood events affecting homes, while Hillcrest experiences 1 minor street-flooding event. After major floods, Riverside Flats reports 38 cases of mold-related respiratory complaints per 10,000 residents vs 14 per 10,000 in Hillcrest. Riverside Flats also has lower rates of homeowners insurance and fewer resources for repairs.

Which scenario best illustrates the impact of environmental injustice on health risk exposure?