Introduction

EcoHealth is an interdisciplinary scientific field examining the complex relationships between ecological systems and human health. It explores how environmental changes, biodiversity, and ecosystem services affect the emergence, transmission, and control of diseases, as well as broader health outcomes. EcoHealth integrates ecology, epidemiology, veterinary science, public health, and social sciences to address global health challenges such as zoonotic diseases, climate change impacts, and sustainable development. The field has gained prominence due to increasing recognition of the interconnectedness between planetary health and human well-being.

Main Concepts

1. Ecosystem Services and Human Health

  • Provisioning Services: Ecosystems supply resources like clean water, food, and medicinal plants, which directly support human health.
  • Regulating Services: Natural systems regulate climate, disease vectors, and air/water quality, impacting health outcomes.
  • Cultural Services: Nature contributes to mental health, recreation, and cultural identity.
  • Supporting Services: Biodiversity and nutrient cycling underpin all other services.

2. Disease Ecology

  • Zoonotic Diseases: Over 60% of emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic, originating from animals (e.g., SARS-CoV-2, Ebola).
  • Biodiversity’s Role: High biodiversity can dilute disease risk by reducing the prevalence of competent hosts (“dilution effect”).
  • Land Use Change: Deforestation, urbanization, and agricultural expansion disrupt habitats, increasing human-wildlife contact and disease emergence.

3. Climate Change and Health

  • Vector-Borne Diseases: Shifting temperatures and precipitation patterns alter the distribution of vectors (e.g., mosquitoes), affecting diseases like malaria and dengue.
  • Extreme Weather Events: Floods, droughts, and heatwaves impact food security, water quality, and directly cause morbidity and mortality.
  • Mental Health: Environmental degradation and climate anxiety are emerging concerns.

4. One Health and Planetary Health Frameworks

  • One Health: Integrates human, animal, and environmental health, promoting collaborative approaches to disease prevention and control.
  • Planetary Health: Focuses on safeguarding human health by protecting Earth’s natural systems, emphasizing sustainability and global equity.

5. Surveillance and Early Warning Systems

  • EcoHealth Surveillance: Monitors wildlife, environmental changes, and human populations to detect emerging threats.
  • Technological Integration: Use of remote sensing, GIS, and molecular diagnostics to track disease outbreaks and environmental changes.

Interdisciplinary Connections

Discipline Contribution to EcoHealth Example Application
Ecology Studies ecosystem dynamics, species interactions Biodiversity’s effect on disease transmission
Epidemiology Analyzes patterns, causes, and control of diseases Modeling zoonotic spillover
Veterinary Science Investigates animal health and disease reservoirs Surveillance of livestock and wildlife
Public Health Designs interventions, policies, and education Community-based disease prevention
Social Sciences Examines human behavior, policy, and socioeconomics Risk perception and health communication
Environmental Science Assesses pollution, climate, and land use impacts Air/water quality monitoring
Data Science Develops analytical tools and predictive models Early warning systems for outbreaks

Data Table: Recent Zoonotic Disease Emergence (2020–2023)

Disease Year Emerged Geographic Region Primary Reservoir Ecosystem Change Linked Human Cases
SARS-CoV-2 2019–2020 Global Bats Wildlife trade, urbanization >700 million
H5N8 Avian Influenza 2020 Eurasia Wild birds Wetland disturbance ~500
Nipah Virus 2021 South Asia Fruit bats Deforestation, agriculture ~60
Marburg Virus 2022 West Africa Fruit bats Mining, cave tourism ~20

Most Surprising Aspect

A particularly surprising aspect of EcoHealth is the “dilution effect,” where increased biodiversity can reduce the risk of disease transmission to humans. Contrary to the assumption that more wildlife equals higher disease risk, diverse ecosystems often contain more non-competent hosts, which interrupt transmission cycles. Recent studies (e.g., Keesing et al., 2021, Nature Ecology & Evolution) support this phenomenon, suggesting that biodiversity conservation can be a public health strategy.

Recent Research

A 2021 study published in The Lancet Planetary Health (“Global trends in emerging infectious diseases,” Carlson et al., 2021) analyzed over 400 emerging disease events from 1960 to 2020. The study found that land use change, wildlife trade, and climate variability were the strongest predictors of zoonotic outbreaks. The authors emphasize the need for integrated EcoHealth approaches to prevent future pandemics, highlighting the value of cross-sectoral collaboration and early warning systems.

Conclusion

EcoHealth provides a vital framework for understanding and managing the links between ecological integrity and human health. By integrating multiple disciplines, it addresses the root causes of disease emergence, environmental degradation, and health disparities. The field’s emphasis on surveillance, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development offers promising pathways for preventing future pandemics and promoting global well-being. Continued research and interdisciplinary cooperation are essential for advancing EcoHealth and safeguarding planetary health.

Citation:
Carlson, C. J., et al. (2021). Global trends in emerging infectious diseases. The Lancet Planetary Health, 5(7), e416–e426. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(21)00139-7

Further Reading:
Keesing, F., et al. (2021). Impacts of biodiversity on the emergence and transmission of infectious diseases. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 5, 697–709.