“Healthy planet produces healthy people” and the inclusion of the concept of healthy animals and a healthy planet in the approach of the World Health Organization to One Health, which encourages such slogans as Healthy animals, healthy people, healthy planet”.
- The connection between human health and the environment cannot be separated.
Healthy Planet:
Although there is a direct relationship between a healthier population and a healthier planet, conversely, damage to the environment increases the global burden of disease. Furthermore, from a medical point of view, planetary health is not merely an ecological issue; rather, it is an essential social health requirement.
- Life cannot do without clean air. Among the most common risk factors of respiratory diseases, including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer, is polluted air, which is the result of industrial emissions, vehicle exhaust, and deforestation. Medical research indicates that the air pollution level can be reduced to lower the respiratory distress hospitalization and increase life expectancy considerably.
- Polluted water is a habitat to waterborne illnesses like cholera, typhoid and hepatitis A. Availability of clean water and good sanitation has a direct and negative effect on the transmission of infections. Healthcare professionals and health experts point out that spending on water purification and waste management systems is as important as medical care in the prevention of disease outbreaks.
- The manner in which we handle the soil and how we generate our food has an impact on nutrition in the world. Poor crop yield and micro-nutrient deficiencies are caused by a poor environment. Medically, malnutrition compromises the immune system, predisposes the body to infections, and retards child development. However Sustainable farming and minimal use of toxic pesticides not only conserve biodiversity but also ensure that the population can access food full of nutrients.
- Global warming is changing the patterns of diseases. An increase in temperature and alteration of rainfall provide good environment to support vector-borne diseases like malaria, dengue, and Zika virus. These diseases are spreading to new geographic locations as observed by doctors. Securing the climate will mean lessening this growing load of contagious illnesses and averting health calamities in the future.
Mental Health and Healthy Planet :
Mental health is highly dependent on environmental stability. Studies indicate that people who are exposed to green spaces are less anxious, depressed, and stressed. Meanwhile , weather-related incidents such as floods, heatwaves, and wildfires may lead to trauma and even cause permanent mental health issues. Often, conservation of natural ecosystems is a significant move towards encouraging mental health.
Environment and Patients Health:
The environment and patients’ health can improve by adopting greener healthcare practices. For example, using renewable energy, following safe waste disposal methods, and implementing sustainable procedures can significantly enhance overall well-being.
Unique Ways to Make the Planet Healthier (Medical Perspective)
- Green Medicine
Numerous drugs find their way into water bodies and soil, where they damage aquatic organisms and find their way to the food chain.
- Develop greener medicines, encourage disposal of expired drugs (not in toilets or drains), and invest in biodegradable medical supplies.
- Telemedicine & Digital Healthcare
- It saves the time of travelling by patients, saves fuel and carbon emissions.
- Medical Impact: Reduced respiratory disease caused by pollution and decreased hospital congestion.
- Reusable Medical Supplies
Hospitals produce a great deal of plastic waste.
- Reuse surgical equipment, biodegradable gloves and recyclable medicine containers.
- Medical Impact: Less exposure of patients and staff to toxic waste.
- Heat-Resilient Urban Design
- Rising temperatures increase the risk of heatstroke, dehydration, and cardiovascular deaths. Implement cool roofing, vertical gardens, and shaded walkways in urban areas.
- Medical Impact: Prevents heat-related illnesses, especially among children and the elderly.>
- Blue Health Approach
- Clean water bodies enhance physical and mental health.
- Halt microplastic contamination, clean the coasts, and endorse ocean therapy (utilizing seaside settings to treat the mind).
Medical Effect: Reduced skin infections, better mood and reduced stress.
- Eco-Health Education in Schools
- Educating children on the connection between the environment and health is a way of enabling them to build lifelong healthy practices.
- Medical Effect: Reduced childhood obesity, healthier diets, and fewer allergies to polluted environments.
- One Health Approach
There is a close relationship between human health, animal health and ecosystem health.
Action: Monitor zoonotic diseases, immunize livestock, and safeguard wildlife habitats.
- Medical Impact: Stops future pandemics ,such as COVID-19.
- Urban Farming & Rooftop Gardens
Lessens food transportation, enhances local nutrition, and reduces carbon emissions.
Medical Impact: Fresher food contain fewer preservatives, thus decreasing the chances of cancer and diabetes.
- Prescribing Nature as Medicine
- Nature walks are already prescribed by some doctors to patients with anxiety, high blood pressure or obesity.
Medical Effect: Strengthens immunity, reduces blood pressure, and improves mental health.
- Clean Energy in Hospitals
- Hospitals consume a great deal of electricity, and the use of fossil fuels aggravates the air pollution.
- Use solar powered hospitals and energy efficient equipment.
- The medical impact: Cleaner air and reduced respiratory diseases.
At the same time We can see everywhere we work that human activity has grate effects on the environment, and biodiversity in particular. Land grabbing, deforestation, turning grasslands into farmlands, etc., there are too many instances where plants and animals suffer a lot. They are not alone as the most vulnerable populations suffer as they do not always have access to healthcare.
Our ways of life are causing us diseases and killing the natural life-support systems. The vision of healthy living on a healthy planet emphasizes the deep connection between human health and nature. Therefore, it promotes a broader understanding of health that includes physical, mental, and environmental well-being.
Actions for a healthy planet:
- Save energy at home. A large portion of our electricity and heat are generated using coal, oil and gas.
- Change the source of energy in your home.
- Walk, ride or use public transport. …
- Switch to electric vehicle. …
- Consider your travel. …
- Reduce, reuse, repair and recycle.
- Eat more vegetables. …
- Throw away less food.
Medically speaking, human health cannot be disconnected with the health of the planet. Healthier air means less lung disease, clean water means less infection, sustainable agriculture means food, and a stable climate means fewer epidemics. In fact, the protection of the planet is also one of the best prescriptions to prevent illness and facilitate well-being.
In short: A healthier planet means healthier people.