Intersectoral linkages of health and biodiversity–A science-policy-society perspective Unnikrishnan Payyappallimana1 and Suneetha. M. Subramanian2 1UNU–Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability, Tokyo, Japan 2UNU–International Institute of Global Health, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia “Health is both a resource for, as well as an outcome of, sustainable development. The goals of sustainable development cannot be achieved when there is a high prevalence of debilitating illness and poverty, and the health of a population cannot be maintained without a responsive health system and a healthy environment. Environmental degradation, mismanagement of natural resources, and unhealthy consumption patterns and lifestyles impact health. Ill-health, in turn, hampers poverty alleviation and economic development.” (WHO 2002)(1) Introduction Studies suggest that one fourth of the global burden of diseases in economically poor countries is related to environmental factors. Much has been written about the environmental and social determinants and drivers of health. The recent report by the World Heal th Organization (WHO 2016) “Preventing disease through healthy environments: a global assessment of the burden of disease from environmental risks”, is a latest addition to the list. The report primarily looks at specific diseases and their links with environmental factors and not the overall health and well-being impacts of environment. Over the last two decades there have been considerable academic literature on the link between biodiversity and health and call for a stronger science-policy-society interface. The convention on biological diversity (CBD) has also taken due note of this and has initiated significant, proactive policy efforts on health and biodiversity for nearly a decade now. This is evidenced in the various reports and decisions of the CBD such as living in harmony with nature (2010)(2) and the strategic plan for biodiversity 2020. What is to be noted is that health is not considered here in isolation but integrated within a holistic approach of health and well-being. From the health policy point of view this goes beyond traditional notions of access to health and brings us back to the WHO definition of health as, “a complete state of physical and mental well-being”. This holistic perspective is well highlighted in the Aichi biodiversity target fourteen–“Ecosystems that provide essential services, including services related to water, and contribute to health, livelihoods and well-being, are restored and safeguarded taking into account the needs of women, indigenous and local communities, and the poor and vulnerable.” There are well-known publications such as, “Sustaining Life: How Human Health Depends on Biodiversity” (Chivian and Aaron Proceedings of the International Conference on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for the 81 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Policy and Practice 27-29 June 2016, Cha-am, Phetchaburi, Thailand
Proceedings of International Conference on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for the Sustainable Development Goals : Policy and Practice 27-29 June 2016 at the Sirindhorn International Environmental Park, Cha-am, Phetchaburi, Thailand
To see the actual publication please follow the link above