Discussion Topic 1: Identifying and addressing the importance of environmental changes on global health

Environmental changes on global health
  • Are we doing enough to incorporate the environmental impact on health?
  • Assessing and measuring environmental changes
  • Generating research ideas for defined spaces

Comments

Submitted by Brenda A Miller on 21 July 2020

Permalink

Some ways scientists and practitioners may be encouraged to address  environmental and health issues together could be: 1)  facilitate more interactions between environmental practitioners/scientists and public health scientists/practitioners at conferences; 2) create a special issue in a journal to look more closely at the intersections; 3) encourage funding sources to take on this important intersection of problems as part of their portfolio of funding.  

Other Ideas?  What seems to be the best starting point? 

Submitted by James Harvey at ISSUP on 22 July 2020

Permalink

Hi Brenda, thank you very much for kick-starting the discussion with these important points. On community-level approaches, it has been interesting to see debates unfold on the links between poor housing, air quality and increased COVID-19 mortality rates in the UK's poorest inner city communities. The growing body of evidence linking lower health outcomes with environmental factors makes a strong case for placing environmental impacts higher up the public health agenda, particularly in the UK.

Submitted by Brenda A Miller on 21 July 2020

Permalink

One of the struggles in thinking about addressing the environmental and health issues together is the range of issues that are covered under each of these broad areas. What might be some of the natural connections that might help us to narrow our focus as we try to move forward?  With the COVID-19 urban crowdedness -- including modes of transportation, elevator access to homes--pose specific dilemmas for prevention of this specific disease.  This may serve as a useful example how can identify appropriate tools, approaches, and policies that incorporate the interaction between environment and health? What should we as Prevention Specialists be addressing to move the field forward.