The Health Risks of Living in Ancient Rome, it states that "As Rome grew, the vast forests surrounding the city were cut down. Deforestation increased runoff, which contributed to more frequent, severe floods—and more standing water." Due to the floods and standing water, puddles were left behind, creating a perfect oppertunity for mosqitous to breed and spread maleria, creating an epidemic which made Rome uninhabital. Second, The article, The Health Risks Of Living In Rome, explains that "Comparing skeletal remains from cemeteries in Roman Britain, researchers found that urban residents were far healthier than their rural counterparts" This shows that those who were residents were living a longer life, and had dental care, but those who were rural counterparts, lived a shorter life and had no dental care at all. Lastly, road contruction projects which destroyed the wild life, made the land slowly die and turn into swamps and marshes. The article, The health Risks of Living In Rome, claims that, "Coupled with road construction projects that disrupted the region’s hydrology, deforestation turned the Pontine Fields, south of the city, into the Pontine Marshes." In conclusion, the problem of enviromental and public health was one of the reasons why the downfall of rome happened.