Social Change, Health and Quality of Life in the Klang Valley Metropolitan Region-Langat

The deterioration of the quality of life for the semi-urban populations can be seen from the reduction of physical, intellectual, social, spiritual and emotional levels of health of the populations. This article has two main objectives; to examine social changes that occurred in WMLKL and to analyses the impact of those changes on health and quality of life of the populations. Data was collected in 2008 to 2009 by using surveys and in-depth-interviews in three districts in Selangor (Kuala Selangor, Kuala Langat and Sepang). Surveys were conducted on 201 respondents, while in-depth-interview were conducted amongst 30 informants and key informants. The analyses revealed that, majority of the respondents were concerned about the influx of foreigners which according to them will give negative impact to the peace in their areas, increase the cost of living and the rising number of crimes that are alleged committed by these foreigners. The religious and moral values of the younger generations are also deteriorating due to the negative influence of print and electronic media that are easily available to them. The evidences are seen in the increase of social problems such as casual sex among the youths which resulted in the cases of unwanted babies, less respect for the elderly and their observing to more of entertainments instead of religion. The environmental degradation is mainly due to indiscriminate dumping of wastes from the factories and other sources such as domestic and municipal wastes in their areas. Infectious diseases which were once eliminated now have resurfaced again in the new forms. The so-called modern diseases have increased tremendously and so do the road and work accidents in their areas.