Transdisciplinary Research Priorities for Human and Planetary Health in the Context of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Kristie L Ebi,Purnamita Dasgupta,Guéladio Cissé,Assaf Anyamba,Takahiro Murakami,Anthony Capon,Frances Harris,Sakiko Kanbara,Melanie Boeckmann,Bruce Maycock,Gerardo Suzán,Alexandros Gasparatos,Gabriel O Dida,Firouzeh Javadi,Peng Bi,Adetoun Mustapha,Andy Morse,Chiho Watanabe,Kathryn Bowen,Chadia Wannous,Franz W Gatzweiler ,Giles B Sioen ,Montira J Pongsiri ,Brama Koné

doi:10.3390/ijerph17238890

Abstract

Human health and wellbeing and the health of the biosphere are inextricably linked. The state of Earth’s life-support systems, including freshwater, oceans, land, biodiversity, atmosphere, and climate, affect human health. At the same time, human activities are adversely affecting natural systems. This review paper is the outcome of an interdisciplinary workshop under the auspices of the Future Earth Health Knowledge Action Network (Health KAN). It outlines a research agenda to address cross-cutting knowledge gaps to further understanding and management of the health risks of these global environmental changes through an expert consultation and review process. The research agenda has four main themes: (1) risk identification and management (including related to water, hygiene, sanitation, and waste management); food production and consumption; oceans; and extreme weather events and climate change. (2) Strengthening climate-resilient health systems; (3) Monitoring, surveillance, and evaluation; and (4) risk communication. Research approaches need to be transdisciplinary, multi-scalar, inclusive, equitable, and broadly communicated. Promoting resilient and sustainable development are critical for achieving human and planetary health.

Highlights

The Anthropocene epoch is underway; human activities are profoundly changing the earth system [1,2]
We identified five processes of socioeconomic transition and seven processes of global environmental change that impact human and planetary health
The positive and negative health and wellbeing effects need to be evaluated of many adaptation measures such as active transportation, greening, in urban settings, smart buildings, personal healthcare with information communication technology (ICT) transition, and other innovations

Summary

Introduction

The Anthropocene epoch is underway; human activities are profoundly changing the earth system [1,2]. Global environmental changes, including biodiversity loss, the nitrogen cycle, and climate change, are exceeding the Earth’s planetary boundaries [3,4], with tipping points in multiple systems possible over the coming decades [5]. Climate change profoundly affects our health and wellbeing through, for example, extreme weather and climate events, the spread of infectious diseases, decreasing crop yields, and ecosystem degradation [6]. Further health challenges arise from other types of environmental change, including pollution of air, land-use change, and water pollution. There is a mismatch between the growth in understanding of the magnitude and patterns of health risks associated with global environmental change and the speed of research and technology development into understanding recent and projecting future changes in the Earth system [2]

Objectives

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion