Can people remain healthy in a world that is sick? Many ecological disasters can be directly traced to careless exploitation of the environment, with human beings as first perpetrator and then victim. Our health closely mirrors the health of our surroundings: this is the basis of the Eco-health approach. It recognizes the inextricable links between humans and their biophysical, social, and economic environments, and that these links are reflected in the population’s state of health.

Reconciling an ecosystem’s health with the health of its human inhabitants is a new area of research, requiring input from scientists, community and interest groups, and decision-makers. This book describes this new approach, providing lessons and recommendations from various IDRC-supported research activities. It demonstrates how decision-makers, in particular, can use the Eco-health approach to formulate policies and solutions that are both immediately visible and sustainable over the long term.

This book also serves as the focal point for an IDRC thematic Web site on on the ecosystem approach to human health: www.idrc.ca/in_focus_health. At this site, you will find the full text of this book as well as related case studies, research reports, short articles, and various other resources. A CD of the in_focus Website is included with the book.

Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included.