Health in the Shadow of the City: A Research Study on the Health Situation in the Slum Areas of Barangay Cembo, Makati City and its Impact on the Residents' Employment Opportunities

Abstract

One of the basic rights of every individual is to have access to health services. It is the governments' duty to provide free or subsidized health services that would make them available to the public. On the other hand, urban population is rapidly increasing over the years in search of employment opportunities. Most of these urban immigrants are concentrated in informal settlements. As the population in informal settlements increase, their environmental conditions tend to aggravate. With poor environmental conditions come risks to the residents' health. Thus, this research study evaluated the health situation in the Philippines focusing on the slum areas of Barangay Cembo, Makati City and how environmental conditions affect the health of the people. The researcher employed two fundamental theories, which were health as a basic right of every individual and environmental health, and a concept that served as her frameworks in conducting this research. She also conducted literary reviews. interviews and surveys to prove her research study. Key informant interviews were done with the captain of the barangay, a health professional from the College of Public Health UP Manila, and the physician in-charge of the barangay health center. In addition, surveys forms were distributed to the 150 employed residents of Maeda. the biggest slum community in the barangay. With all the treated and carefully analyzed gathered data, the researcher was able to prove her research. The health problems of the urban poor particularly those living in the slum areas have poverty and environmental conditions as their root causes. Poverty is expressed by lack of food, lack of finance, and lack of education. Characteristics of environmental and institutional environment include the following: poor access to water and sanitation facilities, inadequate housing, and a generic lack of other services. Consequently, environmental conditions and financial status play pertinent roles towards achieving a healthful living. Living in the slum areas of Barangay Cembo, Makati City greatly affects the health of the people.