Recipients of PSC Small Grant Awards
The Threat of Water Insecurity and its Effects on Mental and Physical Health among Women in Mexico City
Paloma Contreras
My research investigates the effects of water insecurity on both physical and mental health in Mexico City. I propose that intermittency in water supply leads individuals to perceive water as scarce, even when water availability is sufficient to complete daily tasks. My hypothesis is that perceiving water as scarce, or fear of scarcity, is a source of chronic distress that impacts health. I started to investigate this topic because I thought that some of the most important problems vulnerable communities are facing, such as those connected with health and environment, must be approached using an integrative perspective that bridges social and natural sciences.