When Land Is Under Pressure Health Is Under Stress

Aderita Sena and Kristie Ebi
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Aderita Sena: Centre of the Study and Research of Health Emergencies and Disasters, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro 21040-361, Brazil
Kristie Ebi: Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, WA 98195, USA

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 18, issue 1, 1-24

Abstract: The land provides vital resources to support life on Earth. Land ecosystems services have social, cultural, and spiritual benefits and promote human health and well-being. However, human activities, particularly ongoing unsustainable land practices, are negatively impacting ecosystems through desertification, land degradation and drought (DLDD). This article highlights the pressures and impacts of DLDD on human health through exposure pathways, including water security and safety; sanitation and hygiene; food security and safety; air quality; and soil quality. We describe the impacts on 19 health outcomes in three groups: non-communicable diseases; injuries; and infections, parasitic and nutritional diseases. The magnitude of these health impacts is mediated by social, economic, and health system-related factors. We propose actions for the health sector to respond to the DLDD challenges.

Keywords: land degradation; desertification; drought; ecosystem services; sustainable development; climate change; human development; health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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