Topography
- Flood plains have high population density which when flooded can contaminate fresh water supplies leading to spread of waterborne disease.
- Relief results in areas of collected stagnant water which act as breeding grounds for mosquitos carrying disease.
Climate
- Many disease vectors thrive in wetter climates with high precipitation.
- Many disease vectors can only survive above a certain temperature meaning many infectious diseases are prevalent in tropical climates.
- Intense rainfall leads to flooding which can cause water supply contamination.
- Seasonality affects mental health e.g. seasonal affective disorder where there is lack of sunlight in the Arctic.
- Lack of sunlight results in vitamin D deficiency, overexposure results in skin cancer.
Air
- Urban pollution from burning fossil fuels in factories and vehicles can cause respiratory problems, cardiovascular diseases and cancers.
- Poor indoor air quality from mould, smoke and polluting appliances can also.
Water
- Disease-causing pathogens thrive in faeces-contaminated water. Disease spread by drinking or bathing. 3.4 million people die from water-borne diseases such as Cholera or Hepatitis A every year.
Chemical toxins released by factories and agricultural runoff can cause cancers