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Indices of the sustainability of population health would need to focus on the integrity and productivity of the global environment's life-and-health supporting systems. The indices would not directly measure human biology but would assess the extent to which human biological needs are being met by the sustainable consumption of natural resources. Such indices would address dynamic processes, not static conditions. A.J. McMichael of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, lead author of Human Health Effects 1996, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. |
Implementing sustainable development requires recognizing the connection among a host of actions, outcomes and responses. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the area of health and environment where quality of life considerations and life and death issues are frequently intertwined with the use of natural resources, and levels of social and economic development.
Environmental hazards such as toxic emissions and contamination of air, water and food have long been known to be detrimental to human health, particularly during prolonged exposure and for more vulnerable groups like children or the elderly. Social conditions such as poverty and unemployment may worsen physical health and be especially hard on mental health and general well-being.
Economic policies can result in negative social and environmental consequences that affect human health. For example, budgetary cutbacks can be introduced to restore national economic stability, but can have the effect of undermining healthcare delivery or enforcement of environmental regulations put in place to protect air and water quality.
The following links below provide a review of aspects of health and environment as they relate to principles of sustainable development.
Energy ConsumptionEnergy consumption is a factor in many sustainability issues (e.g. climate change). It has been proposed by the Sustainability Reporting Program as a leading indicator of national sustainability because it is tied to important social and economic issues, and to concerns about the carrying capacity of the Earth.
Pollutants
Knowing the quantity of toxins currently released in Canada not only gives insight into possible health and ecosystem hazards, but also raises questions about the social and economic reasons that toxins of different types continue to be produced and used.
Research Capacity
This link explores the factors that influence research into sustainability and health and environment.
Spending on Health and Environment
Money directed to health programs and environmental protection can provide an indication of the priorities given to some facets of human health and environment. However, much of the indirect spending and many of the costs of a more integrated sustainable approach to supporting human and ecosystem health are not easy to track.
See the related topics:
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Global Systems and Human Health
Health Canada Sustainable Strategy