Health Burden
The total impact of a disease or environmental factor on a population, measured in illness, disability, healthcare costs, and lost life expectancy.
Related terms
Cumulative Impact Zone An area where residents are simultaneously exposed to multiple environmental stressors—polluted air, contaminated water, toxic soil—that combine to create a heavier overall health burden than any single pollutant would on its own. Environmental Stressor Any factor in the environment—pollution, noise, heat, contaminated water—that contributes to physical or mental health risk. Life Expectancy The average number of years a person born in a given area is expected to live. Differences of 10–20 years between neighboring zip codes often track with environmental and economic conditions.