A holistic framework for facilitating environmental and human health

Abstract

• Human health, environmental health, and ecosystem health are closely connected. • A holistic framework for characterizing the complex health issues is formulated. • Human and eco-environment interactions are indispensable for health solutions. • Transdisciplinary research is necessary to advance health science. • Health can be improved by multi-sectoral and stakeholder collaborations. In the Anthropocene, health is necessary to achieve global sustainable development. This is a challenge because health issues are complex and span from humans to ecosystems and the environment through dynamic interactions across scales. We find that the health issues have been mainly addressed by disciplinary endeavors which unfortunately will not result in panoramic theories or effective solutions. We recommend focusing on the intricate interactions between humans, ecosystems and the environment for developing common theoretical understandings and practical solutions for safeguarding planetary health, with human health as the key indicator and endpoint. To facilitate this paradigm shift, a holistic framework is formulated that incorporates disturbances from inner Earth and our solar system, and accommodates interactions between humans, ecosystems and the environment in a nested hierarchy. An integrative and transdisciplinary health science is advocated along with holistic thinking to resolve our current health challenges and to achieve the health-related sustainable development goals.