Exploring Ecosystems and Health by Shifting to a Regional Focus: Perspectives from the Oceania EcoHealth Chapter

Jonathan Kingsley, Rebecca Patrick, Pierre Horwitz, Margot Parkes, Aaron Jenkins, Charles Massy, Claire Henderson-Wilson and Kerry Arabena
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Jonathan Kingsley: Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
Rebecca Patrick: School of Health & Social Development, Deakin University, Melbourne 3125, Australia
Pierre Horwitz: School of Natural Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup 6027, Australia
Margot Parkes: School of Health Sciences, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George V2N4Z9, Canada
Aaron Jenkins: School of Natural Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup 6027, Australia
Charles Massy: Fenner School for Environment and Society, Australian National University, Canberra 2601, Australia
Claire Henderson-Wilson: School of Health & Social Development, Deakin University, Melbourne 3125, Australia
Kerry Arabena: Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia

IJERPH, 2015, vol. 12, issue 10, 1-17

Abstract: This article highlights contributions that can be made to the public health field by incorporating “ecosystem approaches to health” to tackle future environmental and health challenges at a regional level. This qualitative research reviews attitudes and understandings of the relationship between public health and the environment and the priorities, aspirations and challenges of a newly established group (the Oceania EcoHealth Chapter) who are attempting to promote these principles. Ten semi-structured interviews with Oceania EcoHealth Chapter members highlighted the important role such groups can play in informing organisations working in the Oceania region to improve both public health and environmental outcomes simultaneously. Participants of this study emphasise the need to elevate Indigenous knowledge in Oceania and the role regional groups play in this regard. They also emphasis that regional advocacy and ecosystem approaches to health could bypass silos in knowledge and disciplinary divides, with groups like the Oceania EcoHealth Chapter acting as a mechanism for knowledge exchange, engagement, and action at a regional level with its ability to bridge the gap between environmental stewardship and public health.

Keywords: Oceania region; ecosystems approaches to health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2015
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