Poor Health and Nutrition
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Poor Health and Nutrition
Poor health and nutrition are among the major issues that are being experienced in most metropolitan areas. This is brought about by several issues such as poverty, poor eating habits, limited access to basic services, and geographic isolation (Allcott et al., 2019). Poverty is a contributing factor to poor health and nutrition in that people in metropolitan areas consume cheap and affordable food. This kind of food is mostly energy-giving but lacks other nutrients which lead to poor health. Poor eating habits could include under-feeding or over-feeding. This is common among people in these areas; underfeeding due to financial constraints or over-feeding to the lack of knowledge on healthy eating (Allcott et al., 2019). Limited access to basic services such as labor and health facilities is also a contributing factor to poor health in metropolitan areas. This could be because of the lack of these facilities in the area or a long distance to travel to get these services. Lastly, geographic isolation is a barrier to the development of metropolitan areas. This prevents people from investing in such areas and sometimes food insecurity since no food supplies are brought to the area (Allcott et al., 2019).
Poor health and nutrition is a challenge that needs to be addressed by both the local government and the state government. They should work together to ensure that more health facilities are built for the people who live in the metropolitan areas (Mead, 2019). They should also come up with ways that will ensure there is food security in these areas so that people can get more nutritious foods that they can afford. The public should also be educated on the benefits of having a balanced diet and healthy eating to their health. The community members also should seek medical services whenever necessary and live a healthy life within their means (Mead, 2019).
The possible solution to this issue is to avoid labeling these areas. The fact that they are considered anti-urban already disadvantages them from getting the right treatment. These affect their businesses, financial status, and developments such as infrastructure. If all cities and towns are considered to be equal then we will have equal resources being distributed to all these areas. That way, we will be able to eradicate poverty in the metropolitan areas, increase food security, get rid of ignorance about health among members of these communities, and end up with a healthy community (Mead, 2019). Roles of both the state government and local government should be clearly outlined so that there will be someone liable or held responsible when something goes wrong.
Since home rule is self-governed and independent, it will have the power to bring about the necessary changes required by its people. The issue surrounding health and nutrition can be tackled by giving out the required resources to the members of the community (Su, 2017). Home rule will work out well since it will be held the responsibility of all contributions and problems in the metropolitan areas. In home rule, it is as if that area is on its own and does not compare or compete with other areas which give it the comfort to develop itself. The Dillon rule, on the other hand, will always need validation from the centralized government (Su, 2017). For instance, the proposal of building a health facility in a given area could be accepted or rejected by the state government if deemed unnecessary. But also, if the proposal is accepted there will be abundant resources for the work to get done.
My opinion is centered on the fact that home rule is independent governance while Dillon’s rule is dependent on the state government. It could be easier to get things done with the home rule since the decision relies on the local government but the resources will be limited to that region alone (Su, 2017). The Dillon’s rule will have vast resources since it is provided by the state government but only if their projects are approved by the state government. They do not have the power to make decisions on their own.
References
Allcott, H., Diamond, R., Dubé, J. P., Handbury, J., Rahkovsky, I., & Schnell, M. (2019). Food deserts and the causes of nutritional inequality. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 134(4), 1793-1844. https://doi.org/10.1093/qje/qjz015
Mead, T. D. (2019). Federalism and state law: legal factors constraining and facilitating local initiatives. In Handbook of local government administration (pp. 31-45). Routledge. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781315093239-3/federalism-state-law-legal-factors-constraining-facilitating-local-initiatives-timothy-meadSu, R. (2017). Have cities abandoned home rule. Fordham Urb. LJ, 44, 181. https://heinonline.org/HOL/LandingPage?handle=hein.journals/frdurb44&div=10&id=&page=
