Abstract
The linkages between human health, biodiversity, ecosystems, and the life-supporting services that they provide are varied and complex. The traditional neglect of this nexus by policy-makers perpetuates threats posed to ecosystems with potentially critical impacts on global health. The Convention on Biological Diversity and the World Health Organization recently co-convened two regional workshops on these intricate but vital linkages. From discussions held with policy-makers and experts in the biodiversity and health sectors, spanning some 50 countries in Africa and the Americas, we derive a broad framework for the development of national and regional public health and biodiversity strategies relevant to strategic planning processes in the emerging post-2015 development context.
Highlights
The structure and functioning of the world’s ecosystems has changed more rapidly in the second half of the twentieth century than in any other comparable period in human history (MA 2005)
While the understanding of how ecosystem alteration and degradation affect human health is incomplete, significant progress has been made toward understanding the scientific underpinnings at the biodiversity-health nexus, with a growing body of literature denoting that policy decisions affecting ecosystem management involve tradeoffs (Rodrıguez et al 2006; Mace et al 2012; Romanelli et al 2014)
A limited understanding of the benefits and challenges at the biodiversity–health interface and frequently corresponding failures to reflect these in policy decisions undermine our understanding of the full magnitude of health risks associated with biodiversity loss, ecosystem change, and the urgency required to address them (Jones et al 2008; Pongsiri et al 2009; Langlois et al 2012; Stephens 2012; Myers et al 2013; Keune et al 2013)
Summary
The structure and functioning of the world’s ecosystems has changed more rapidly in the second half of the twentieth century than in any other comparable period in human history (MA 2005). Health and biodiversity strategies should aim to ensure that the essential life-supporting services provided by ecosystems and vital biodiversity and health linkages are widely recognized, valued, and reflected in national public health and biodiversity strategies, and in the programs, plans, and strategies of other relevant sectors The implementation of such strategies should be a joint responsibility of ministries of health, environment, and other relevant ministries responsible for the implementation of environmental health programs and NBSAPs. The overall objective of the proposed framework is to guide the formulation of regional strategies and country-specific actions in the context of existing health and biodiversity commitments
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