Environmental Health

Urban Regeneration as a Public Health Intervention

by Casimir MacGregor

Published in Journal of Social Interventions: Theory and Practice 19 (3):38-51

ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH IN CHENNAI, INDIA: AN ECOSYSTEM APPROACH TO MANAGING THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT FOR HUMAN HEALTH

by Martin Bunch

Bunch, Martin J., V. Madha Suresh, Dana Wilson, Beth Finnis, T. Vasantha Kumaran, Raj Murthy and Michael J. Jerrett “Environment And Health In Chennai, India: An Ecosystem Approach To Managing The Urban Environment For Human Health” in Martin J. Bunch, V. Madha Suresh and T. Vasantha Kumaran, eds., Proceedings of the Third International Conference on Environment and Health, Chennai, India, 15-17 December, 2003. Chennai: Department of Geography, University of Madras and Faculty of Environmental Studies, York University. Pages 44 – 65.

This paper presents the results of a workshop held in August 2002 in support of an action-oriented program of research... more This paper presents the results of a workshop held in August 2002 in support of an action-oriented program of research that adopts an ecosystem approach to human health in Chennai, India. The workshop brought together stakeholders and potential participants in the research program in a collaborative environment to explore environment and health relationships, identify key actors and stakeholders in managing for human health, and develop a conceptual model of environment and health in Chennai. The workshop also introduced the ecosystem approach to workshop participants and explored the feasibility of applying the approach in Chennai. This paper is intended to highlight the use of a stakeholder workshop within an ecosystem approach, as well as techniques employed in the workshop’s working sessions. Influences on the workshop come from soft systems methodology, adaptive management and participatory action research. Working sessions were oriented to problem identification and framing, system conceptualization and visioning. Workshop participants developed a diagrammatic expression of environment and health in Chennai known as a ‘rich picture.’ Important themes in environment and health were drawn from this expression, such as: slums as locations of most -vulnerable populations and objectionable conditions; surface water quality and water bourne disease (e.g., typhoid, cholera, diarrhea, dysentery); public participation in management of environment and health problems; and malaria. Workshop participants also helped to identify a mixed-methods approach to addressing these issues in slum areas. The workshop results are now being used to direct the broader program of research.

ECOHEALTH AND WATERSHEDS: Ecosystem Approaches to Re-integrate Water Resources Management with Health and Well-being

by Martin Bunch

Parkes, M.W., Morrison, K.E., Bunch, M.J., and Venema, H.D. (2008) Ecohealth and Watersheds: Ecosystem Approaches to Re-integrate Water Resources Management with Health and Well-being. Network for Ecosystem Sustainability and Health (Publication Series No. 2) and the International Institute for Sustainable Development,Winnipeg, MB. Available online at http://www.iisd.org/pdf/2008/ecohealth_watersheds.pdf.

Executive Summary

The links between ecosystem approaches to health, natural resource management and poverty... more Executive Summary

The links between ecosystem approaches to health, natural resource management and poverty reduction are being identified as important and relevant across an increasing number of disciplines and institutions. However, specific implementation guidance is scant. One promising approach to addressing this gap is the integration of two emergent approaches to environmental management: Ecohealth, which argues that human health and well-being are not only dependent on ecosystems but are also important outcomes of effective ecosystem management; and Watershed-based integrated water resources management (IWRM) which is based on the premise that watersheds are appropriate units for managing ecosystems.

Over the past century, the dominant scientific approach to environment and health relationships has been to examine cause and effect relationships between “proximal” environmental exposures and their health effects. Much progress has been made with this kind of work, but the complex, reciprocal interactions among ecosystems, society and health demand a more integrated and systemic approach. Recent convergence of research, policy and practice that re-links the social and ecological context for health lead us to understand that: in coupled social-ecological systems the same driving forces can result in combined social and environmental health inequities, hazards and impacts; policies that decrease social inequities and improve social cohesion have the potential to improve health outcomes and also to minimize and offset the drivers of ecosystem change; and linked social-ecological actions that address both biophysical and social environments have the potential to create a “double-dividend” that improves health by addressing both its socio-economic and environmental determinants, while also promotingsustainable development.

Traditionally, our understanding and management of human health has been organized spatially on the basis of human constructs such as municipalities, counties, health authorities, and provinces or states. While these boundaries do influence environmental and resource management, they often overlook the structure and function of ecosystems, and create a disjuncture between the objects of management and biophysical processes (e.g., between health and nature). A wide range of international reports have now created a demand and imperative to identify specific ecosystem-based contexts in which linkages among health, ecosystems, development and poverty alleviation can be operationalized.

One response to these challenges has been to recognize and prioritize watersheds as appropriate spatial units around which to organize management for natural resources and health.Watershed management and ecosystem approaches offer useful approaches to water management within the physical “place” of the watershed or catchment. Using key management concepts such as resilience, such approaches have the potential to improve our ability to reduce vulnerability to natural hazards, maintain ecological flows of water and the provision of other ecological services, and to promote the long-term sustainability of coupled human and natural systems. Ecosystem approaches and IWRM almost always cite collaborative decision-making and adaptive institutions as central to their approach.Mechanisms to operate such approaches must navigate overlapping jurisdictions, conflicting mandates and multiple interests, while at the same time adapting and responding to new information and operating in contexts of uncertainty.

The challenge remains to establish frameworks and processes that speak not only to public health professionals, but also to ecologists, water managers, planners and the development community. Despite the potential value in explicitly addressing concerns about human health and well-being on a watershed basis, a myriad of challenges exist—many of which reflect the limitations of restricting focus on separate parts of social-ecological systems rather than the interconnections of human and natural systems. These include the challenges of working across jurisdictions and sectors; of integrating academic disciplines and multiple worldviews; of spatial-temporal scale and the relationship between systems defined at different scales; and of the complexity of issues pertaining to each aspect of these social-ecological systems (including climate and atmospheric processes, land uses, ecological processes, social networks, livelihoods and lifestyles). The table below summarizes key issues identified by this report and offers directions for further work.

Gestión integrada del agua y la salud desde una visión ecosistémica ("Water for life, health and sustainability: An ecosystem approach to reintegrate water resource management with the determinants of health")

by Martin Bunch

Parkes, M., K. Morrison, M.J. Bunch, H. Venema and P. Howitz (2008) Gestión integrada del agua y la salud desde una visión ecosistémica. 2 July 2008. Expo Zaragosa 2008: Water and Sustainable Development. Jun 14, 2008 - Sep 14, 2008 PLaza e España, Zaragoza, Aragon Spain.

The relationship between water resource management and the ‘upstream’ determinants of health is emerging as a new... more The relationship between water resource management and the ‘upstream’ determinants of health is emerging as a new portfolio of research, policy and practice. This development is informed by growing attention to ecosystem management in the context of catchments (also known as watersheds or river basins) and the potential ‘win-win’ of integrated strategies that improve both health and sustainability within these settings. Sustainable and equitable watershed management can be seen as an upstream driver of the determinants of health – with influences ranging from livelihoods and poverty, to cultural values, food security and lifestyles, as well provision of basic water services and infrastructure. Drawing on an integrated framework and the key concepts of ‘living systems’, ‘livelihoods’, and ‘linkages’ between ecosystems and equity, this paper examines integrated catchment management as the basis for an ecosystem approach that promotes water for life, health and sustainability. These concepts will be examined in the context of a community catchment health project in New Zealand, with cross-reference to initiatives in Hawai’i, Ecuador, Canada and the Philippines. Implications will be discussed in relation to capacity building for governance, research and education that values catchment management as a collaborative, cross-sectoral initiative with interrelated benefits for health, ecosystems and society.

Geospatial resources for supporting data standards, guidance and best practice in health informatics

by Tony Mathys

BioMed Central (BMC) Research Notes.
BMC Research Notes 2011, 4:19 doi:10.1186/1756-0500-4-19

Tony Mathys and Professor Maged N. Kamel Boulos (Plymouth University)

This paper describes a variety of resources available for the health research and public health sector to use for... more This paper describes a variety of resources available for the health research and public health sector to use for managing and sharing their data. The Go-Geo! service is one resource which offers an SDI for the eclectic range of disciplines using GIS in UK academia, including health informatics.

The benefits of data management and sharing are immense, and in these times of cost restraints, these resources can be seen as solutions to find cost savings which can be reinvested in more research.

Sinistres naturels et accidents technologiques

by Philippe Guerrier

Profil environnemental du territoire du Département de santé communautaire de l'Hôpital du St-Sacrement: Philippe Guerrier, Robert Patry

by Philippe Guerrier

Radiaoctivity in Cigarette

by Prof.Dr. İbrahim USLU

Turkish Journal of nuclear Sciences Volume 25 no:2 pp 1998
ibrahim Uslu, E. Tanker, M.L. Aksu

Cigarette is known to be hazardous to health due to nicotine and tar it contains. This is indicated on cigarette... more Cigarette is known to be hazardous to health due to nicotine and tar it contains. This is indicated on cigarette packets by health warnings. However there is less known hazard of smoking due to intake of radioactive compounds by inhalation. This study dwells upon the radioactive hazard of smoking.

Radiological Considerations in Nuclear Ship Visits

by Prof.Dr. İbrahim USLU

Turkish Journal of Nuclear Science 16(1989) pp:43-51
ibrahim Uslu, G.G. Yülek. G. Aksu
keywords: nuclear ship radiological consideration

In this study radiological aspects of nuclear ships has been reviewed and the results of some measurements of early... more In this study radiological aspects of nuclear ships has been reviewed and the results of some measurements of early warning system stations and radionuclide concentration in sea water have been given and discussed from the data during one of the nuclear ship visit of a Turkish Port.

Communicating with healthcare providers

by Lisa Ragain

A sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for adducts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with human serum albumin

by (Jake) Ming Kei Chung

Evaluation of Water Quality with Waterborne Diseases for Assessing Pilgrimage Impact along River Indrayani, Pune (India)

by Ravindra Gavali

Marale S. M., Mahajan D. M., Gavali R., S. Rao K. R
IJEP Vol.2 No.1 January 2012 PP.8-14
DOI: 10.5963/IJEP0201002

Water pollution due to residents and pilgrims causing waterborne health related diseases especially AGI (Acute Gastro... more Water pollution due to residents and pilgrims causing waterborne health related diseases especially AGI (Acute Gastro Enteritis) amongst local population. The river water monitoring was carried and a questioner based survey was used to estimate water-borne and enteric disease incidence amongst the local residents and floating population consisting of pilgrims, tourists etc. 1.75% of local population suffered AGI at Alandi and 1.53% local population suffered due to AGI at Dehu. Various health disorders such as skin itching, ear pain, throat irritation, nausea etc were reported in the pilgrims. Multi-criteria approach is used to evolve composite quality index (CQI). The impact due to occurrence of AGI for various factors calculated using a parameter called as Odd Ratio (OR). It is observed that the odd ratio (OR) has decreased by 28% and 32% in Dehu and by 49% and 63% at Alandi during pilgrimage periods of Ashadi and Kartiki respectively, thereby indicating increased trend of number of people suffering from AGI due to pilgrim activities during pilgrimage period in comparison to non pilgrimage period.
Keywords-Sewage pollution, Pilgrimage activities, Composite Quality Index, Odd Ratio, Skin diseases, Solid Waste

Analysis of the Exposure Perception to Environmental Health Risks, In Two Children Populations, by Means of the Elaboration of Drawings

by Anuschka van ´t Hooft

(in Spanish)
Revista Salud Colectiva 6(1):65-81, 2010. ISSN: 1669-2381. En co-autoría: Torres-Nerio, Rocío, Gabriela Domínguez Cortinas, Anuschka van ´t Hooft, Fernando Díaz-Barriga Martínez y Ana Cristina Cubillas-Tejeda

The exposure to environmental pollutants implies a risk for health, mainly for the children population. A strategy of... more The exposure to environmental pollutants implies a risk for health, mainly for the children population. A strategy of preventive intervention may be a Risks Communication Program (RCP). In order for a RCP to be carried out in an effective form, it is necessary to know the perception of the community about the exposure to environmental risks. Knowing children perception is essential for designing PCR to be implemented in each community. In this work the drawing was used as a tool to understand the perception of the children from a rural-indigenous community and from a marginalized urban community. The activity consisted on the formulation of two questions, which children answered sketching a drawing. The questions were formulated to know their perception in two sceneries: inside and outside their home. The obtained results indicated that the children perceive most of the environmental issues previously detected by our group and there were some differences between communities. In addition, it was found that some children perceived problems that had not been identified by the researchers.

Análisis de la percepción de la exposición a riesgos ambientales para la salud, en dos poblaciones infantiles, mediante la elaboración de dibujos

by Anuschka van ´t Hooft

Revista Salud Colectiva 6(1):65-81, 2010. ISSN: 1669-2381. Co-authored with Torres-Nerio, Rocío, Gabriela Domínguez Cortinas, Anuschka van ´t Hooft, Fernando Díaz-Barriga Martínez and Ana Cristina Cubillas-Tejeda

La exposición a contaminantes ambientales implica un riesgo para la salud, principalmente para la población infantil.... more La exposición a contaminantes ambientales implica un riesgo para la salud, principalmente para la población infantil. Una estrategia de intervención puede ser un Programa de Comunicación de Riesgos (PCR). Para que un PCR sea efectivo es necesario conocer la percepción de la comunidad sobre la exposición a riesgos ambientales. El conocer la percepción de los niños es fundamental para el diseño de los PCR que serán implementados en cada comunidad. En este trabajo se utilizó el dibujo como una herramienta para conocer la percepción de los niños de una comunidad rural-indígena y de niños de una comunidad urbano-marginada. La actividad consistió en la formulación de dos preguntas, las cuales respondieron los niños por medio de la elaboración de un dibujo. Las preguntas se formularon para conocer la percepción en los escenarios dentro y fuera de la casa. Los resultados obtenidos indicaron que los niños perciben la mayoría de las problemáticas ambientales detectadas con anterioridad por nuestro grupo y se encontraron diferencias por comunidad. Además se encontró que algunos niños percibieron problemáticas que no habían sido detectadas por los investigadores.

Research In Turbulent Environments: Slums In Chennai, India and the Impact of the December 2004 Tsunami on An Ecohealth Project

by Martin Bunch

Bunch, M. J., Franklin, B., Morley, D., Kumaran, T. V., & Suresh, V. M. (2005). Research in Turbulent Environments: Slums in Chennai, India and the Impact of the December 2004 Tsunami on an Ecohealth Project. EcoHealth, 2(2), 150-154.

On December 26, 2004, a tsunami struck coastal areas in the Bay of Bengal. Among the communities affected were... more On December 26, 2004, a tsunami struck coastal areas in the Bay of Bengal. Among the communities affected were Pallavan Nagar and Anju Kudasai slums in Chennai India. These communities have been collaborating, with some success, on a project to manage the urban environment for human health that employs an adaptive ecosystem approach framework, and is heavily influenced by participatory action research methodology. The tsunami resulted in loss of life, shelter, property and livelihoods in these communities. This profile presents an overview of the project, the two settlements, and the impact of the tsunami on the communities. This article also discusses the impact of the disaster on the direction and nature of the ecohealth project.

Environmental Health

by Selma Şekercioğlu

Modelling risk for prioritisation of interventions for environmental hazards to human health using multicriteria decision analysis

by Giovanni Leonardi

Rebecca Close 1, Giovanni Leonardi 1, Mike Studden 1,
Zaid Chalabi 2, David Phillips 3 and Rabia Khan 3

1 Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards,
Health Protection Agency
2 London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
3 NHS Dorset
email: rebecca.close@hpa.org.uk

Chemical Hazards and Poisons Report
From the HPA Centre for Radiation, Chemical and Environmental Hazards September 2011

Page 29

Curricula for Registration of Public Health or Public Health(Environment) physicians

by Giovanni Leonardi

Document prepared by I.A.Kreis, V.S.G.Murray, G.S.Leonardi, P.van den Hazel

Information contributed by C.Aus , S.Boese-O’Reilly, R.Keuken, J. van Loenhout, P.Ohnsorge, J.A.Ortega
Version 1
31 March 2010


PHEEDUNET: A European network for the training and development of public health (environment) physicians
Project no: 2006335
European Union
Public Health Executive Agency


Participating institutions:
Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, The Netherlands
European Academy for Environmental Medicine, Germany
Health Protection Agency, United Kingdom
Public Health Services Gelderland Midden, The Netherlands
Valstybinis Aplinkos Sveikatos Centras (State Environmental Health Centre), Lithuania
‘Fodor József’ National Centre of Public Health, Hungary
Paediatric Environmental Health Speciality Unit, Spain

Definitions. A European Network for the Training and Development of Public Health (Environment) Physicians

by Giovanni Leonardi

Document prepared by I.A.Kreis, G.S.Leonardi. V.S.G.Murray. J.A.Ortega Garcia, J.van Loenhout, P.Ohnsorge.
Version 1.0
Date 30 March 2009

PHEEDUNET: A EUROPEAN NETWORK FOR THE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH (ENVIRONMENT) PHYSICIANS.
Project No: 2006335
European Union
Public Health Executive Agency

Participating institutions:
Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, The Netherlands
European Academy for Environmental Medicine, Germany
Health Protection Agency, United Kingdom
Public Health Services Gelderland Midden, The Netherlands
Valstybinis Aplinkos Sveikatos Centras (State Environmental Health Centre), Lithuania
‘Fodor József’ National Centre of Public Health, Hungary
Paediatric Environmental Health Speciality Unit, Spain

03 Community based environmental health: should health be integrated with environment?

by Deon Canyon

Canyon DV. Community-based environmental health: should health be integrated with environment? Journal of Rural and Remote Environmental Health 2003;2:36-38.