Cecchi Giuliano, Mancini Laura
Dipartimento di Ambiente e Connessa Prevenzione Primaria, Istituto Superiore di Sanita, Rome.
Ann Ist Super Sanita. 2005;41(3):271-9.
The study of ecosystem health is a relatively recent discipline that has already provided new insights into numerous aspects of environmental management. One of the most interesting fields of study is the one investigating the relationships between ecosystem and human heath. In this paper some basic terms of reference are given in order to help the understanding of this new approach. One definition of ecosystem health is given, possible causes of degradation are indicated and links with human health are addressed. The ecosystem approach to human health stresses the importance of cultural and social values in shaping the concept of health, both at human and at ecosystem level. Two case-studies showing man-ecosystem interactions are described: mining activities, that provide a suitable field of application of the ecosystem approach, and the case of malaria and DDT, that shows the risks of certain policies neglecting basic human expectations such as health. As a conclusion, some suggestions for possible research activities are given and a few recommendations for sound public health policies are indicated.
生态系统健康研究是一门相对较新的学科，它已经在环境管理的众多方面提供了新的见解。最有趣的研究领域之一是调查生态系统与人类健康之间的关系。本文给出了一些基本的参考术语，以帮助理解这种新方法。给出了生态系统健康的一种定义，指出了退化的可能原因，并探讨了与人类健康的联系。人类健康的生态系统方法强调文化和社会价值观在塑造人类和生态系统层面健康概念方面的重要性。描述了两个展示人类与生态系统相互作用的案例研究：采矿活动，它为生态系统方法提供了一个合适的应用领域；疟疾和滴滴涕案例，它显示了某些忽视诸如健康等基本人类期望的政策所带来的风险。作为结论，给出了一些可能的研究活动建议，并指出了一些健全公共卫生政策的建议。
