Zheng Madeleine, Wutich Amber, Brewis Alexandra, Kavouras Stavros
School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, 1151 S Forest Ave, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA E-mail:
School of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University, Cady Mall, Tempe, AZ 85287, USA.
J Water Health. 2022 Sep;20(9):1329-1342. doi: 10.2166/wh.2022.085.
U.S. border colonias are peri-urban settlements along the U.S.-Mexico border. Residents often face substandard housing, inadequate septic and sewer systems, and unsafe or inadequate household water. As of 2015, an estimated 30% of over 5 million U.S. colonia residents lacked access to clean drinking water, suggesting health complications. This scoping review identifies a very limited existing set of research on water and sanitation insecurity in U.S.-Mexico border colonias, and suggests value in additional focused research in this specific context to address health challenges. Preliminary health data indicates that due to water insecurity, colonia residents are more likely to contract gastrointestinal diseases, be exposed to carcinogenic compounds from contaminated water, and experience psychosocial distress. These widespread health issues in colonias are exacerbated by historical and ongoing socioenvironmental injustices in the U.S.-Mexico border region and their relation to the poor health outcomes.
美国边境定居点是位于美墨边境沿线的城郊居民区。居民常常面临住房条件差、化粪池和排水系统不完善以及家庭用水不安全或供应不足的问题。截至2015年，在500多万美国边境定居点居民中，估计有30%无法获得清洁饮用水，这可能引发健康问题。这项范围综述发现，关于美墨边境定居点水和卫生设施不安全问题的现有研究非常有限，并表明在这一特定背景下开展更多针对性研究以应对健康挑战具有重要意义。初步健康数据表明，由于用水不安全，边境定居点居民更易感染胃肠道疾病、接触受污染水中的致癌化合物并遭受心理社会困扰。美国-墨西哥边境地区历史上以及当前存在的社会环境不公正现象及其与不良健康结果的关联，加剧了这些边境定居点广泛存在的健康问题。
