Definition

EcoHealth is an interdisciplinary field focused on understanding how ecosystem changes impact human health, animal health, and environmental sustainability. It integrates ecology, public health, veterinary science, and social sciences to address complex health challenges arising from environmental changes.

Core Principles

  • Systems Thinking: Recognizes interconnections between humans, animals, and ecosystems.
  • Transdisciplinary Collaboration: Involves experts from multiple fields (e.g., ecology, medicine, sociology).
  • Participatory Approaches: Engages communities in identifying and solving health-related environmental issues.
  • Sustainability Focus: Promotes long-term health of ecosystems and populations.

Key Concepts

1. Ecosystem Services and Health

  • Provisioning: Food, water, medicinal resources.
  • Regulating: Disease control, climate regulation, water purification.
  • Cultural: Recreation, spiritual well-being.

2. Disease Ecology

  • Zoonoses: Diseases transmitted from animals to humans (e.g., COVID-19, Ebola).
  • Vector-borne diseases: Impacted by habitat changes (e.g., malaria, dengue).

3. Biodiversity and Health

  • High biodiversity can buffer disease transmission.
  • Loss of species may increase risk of outbreaks.

Diagram: EcoHealth Interconnections

EcoHealth Diagram

Surprising Facts

  1. The Great Barrier Reef is the largest living structure on Earth, visible from space.
  2. 60% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, originating in animals and often linked to ecosystem disruption (Jones et al., 2020).
  3. Urban green spaces can reduce cardiovascular disease risk by up to 20% (WHO, 2021).

Case Study: Nipah Virus Outbreak in Bangladesh

  • Background: Nipah virus is a zoonotic pathogen transmitted from fruit bats to humans, often via contaminated date palm sap.
  • EcoHealth Approach: Researchers identified that deforestation and agricultural expansion increased bat-human contact.
  • Interventions: Covering sap collection pots and reforesting bat habitats reduced transmission.
  • Outcome: Incidence of Nipah virus infections decreased, demonstrating the effectiveness of EcoHealth strategies.

Practical Applications

1. Disease Surveillance

  • Integrates animal and environmental health data to predict outbreaks.
  • Example: Monitoring wildlife for early signs of zoonotic diseases.

2. Urban Planning

  • Designing cities with green spaces to improve air quality and mental health.
  • Reduces urban heat islands and supports biodiversity.

3. Agriculture

  • Promotes sustainable farming practices to minimize pesticide use and protect pollinators.
  • Reduces water contamination and supports food security.

4. Climate Change Mitigation

  • Restoration of wetlands and forests to sequester carbon and reduce disease risk.

Recent Research

  • Reference: Carlson, C.J., et al. (2022). β€œClimate change increases cross-species viral transmission risk.” Nature, 607, 555–562.
    • Findings: Climate-driven habitat shifts will increase the likelihood of viruses jumping between species, including humans, by 2070.
    • Implication: EcoHealth approaches are critical for pandemic prevention.

Impact on Daily Life

  • Food Safety: EcoHealth ensures safe, sustainable food sources by monitoring environmental contaminants and disease risks.
  • Air and Water Quality: Protects public health by advocating for clean air and water through ecosystem management.
  • Mental Health: Access to healthy ecosystems improves well-being and reduces stress.
  • Pandemic Prevention: Early detection and response to zoonotic diseases reduce global health threats.

Summary Table

Aspect Example EcoHealth Benefit
Disease Surveillance Wildlife monitoring Early outbreak detection
Urban Design Green spaces Improved physical/mental health
Agriculture Crop rotation, pollinators Sustainable food systems
Climate Mitigation Wetland restoration Reduced disease, carbon storage

Further Reading

Revision Checklist

  • [ ] Define EcoHealth and its principles
  • [ ] Explain ecosystem services and their health impacts
  • [ ] Describe disease ecology and biodiversity links
  • [ ] Analyze the Nipah virus case study
  • [ ] List practical applications in various sectors
  • [ ] Summarize recent research findings
  • [ ] Discuss daily life impacts

End of Notes