Definition

EcoHealth is an interdisciplinary field that studies the complex relationships between ecosystems, human health, and animal health. It emphasizes the interconnectedness of environmental, social, and biological factors in maintaining the well-being of all living organisms.

Core Principles

  • Systems Thinking: Views health outcomes as products of interactions within and between ecological and social systems.
  • Transdisciplinarity: Integrates knowledge from ecology, medicine, veterinary science, sociology, and policy.
  • Participatory Approaches: Involves communities, stakeholders, and policymakers in research and interventions.
  • Sustainability: Focuses on long-term health for humans, animals, and ecosystems.

Key Components

1. Ecosystem Services and Human Health

  • Provisioning Services: Clean water, food, medicinal plants.
  • Regulating Services: Disease control, climate regulation, water purification.
  • Cultural Services: Recreation, spiritual value, mental health benefits.

2. Disease Ecology

  • Zoonoses: Diseases transmitted between animals and humans (e.g., COVID-19, Ebola).
  • Vector Ecology: Impact of environmental changes on vectors (e.g., mosquitoes, ticks).
  • Biodiversity and Disease Regulation: High biodiversity can buffer disease transmission.

3. Pollution and Health

  • Chemical Pollutants: Pesticides, heavy metals, plastics.
  • Physical Pollutants: Microplastics, noise, radiation.
  • Biological Pollutants: Pathogens, invasive species.

Diagram: EcoHealth Interconnections

EcoHealth Diagram

Surprising Facts

  1. Plastic Pollution in the Deepest Oceans: Microplastics have been discovered in the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the ocean, highlighting the global reach of human pollution (Jamieson et al., 2020).
  2. Biodiversity Loss Increases Disease Risk: Declines in species diversity can lead to higher prevalence of infectious diseases in humans.
  3. Urban Green Spaces Reduce Mortality: Access to urban green spaces is associated with lower rates of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

Recent Research

  • Citation: Jamieson, A.J., et al. (2020). “Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments from the Mariana Trench.” Nature Geoscience, 13, 345–349.
  • Key Findings: Microplastics were found at depths over 10,000 meters, indicating that plastic pollution is pervasive even in remote, extreme environments.

Ethical Considerations

  • Justice and Equity: Ensuring vulnerable populations have access to healthy environments.
  • Intergenerational Responsibility: Protecting ecosystem health for future generations.
  • Animal Welfare: Considering the impact of environmental changes and pollution on animal health.
  • Informed Consent: Engaging communities in EcoHealth research and interventions.

Teaching EcoHealth in Schools

  • Interdisciplinary Curriculum: Combines biology, environmental science, social studies, and health education.
  • Project-Based Learning: Students investigate local environmental health issues (e.g., water quality, air pollution).
  • Citizen Science: Involvement in data collection and analysis (e.g., biodiversity surveys, pollution monitoring).
  • Case Studies: Real-world examples such as zoonotic disease outbreaks, ecosystem restoration, and pollution impacts.

Suggested Project Idea

Title: “Mapping Microplastic Pollution in Local Waterways”

  • Objective: Assess the presence and sources of microplastics in nearby rivers or lakes.
  • Methods: Collect water samples, filter and analyze for microplastics using microscopes, document findings.
  • Outcomes: Produce a report and recommendations for reducing plastic pollution in the community.

Unique Aspects of EcoHealth

  • Focuses on prevention rather than just treatment of health issues.
  • Links local and global health challenges, recognizing that actions in one region can affect distant ecosystems.
  • Promotes collaboration across disciplines and sectors, including government, academia, and civil society.

Summary Table

Aspect Description
Systems Approach Health outcomes depend on ecosystem interactions
Pollution Impacts all levels of the biosphere, including the deepest oceans
Biodiversity Loss increases disease risk; conservation is a health strategy
Ethics Focus on justice, equity, animal welfare, and sustainability
Education Interdisciplinary, project-based, and community-engaged

References

  • Jamieson, A.J., et al. (2020). “Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments from the Mariana Trench.” Nature Geoscience, 13, 345–349.
  • World Health Organization. (2021). “Connecting global priorities: biodiversity and human health.”
  • United Nations Environment Programme. (2023). “Plastic pollution in oceans: A global assessment.”

Further Reading