Features Ecohealth Works — Case studies These four case studies show how IDRC-supported research is helping develop sustainable responses to environmental and health problems around the globe. IDRC at the EcoHealth2010 Conference Innovations in Research Taking a fresh look at old problems yields greater benefits for communities. Learn more about Ecohealth projects News and Networking Our news and networking section features events and annoucements of  varied topical interest.  Visit this section for updated information on upcoming events and opportunities...

Welcome to Ecosystems and Human Health, an IDRC program dedicated to supporting research in developing countries to solve human health problems rooted in ecosystem conditions.

Health is an essential resource for living productive and fulfilling lives and for development. Many things working together affect human health: the environment, society, politics and culture. Yet the world's poor often live in degraded ecosystems, have few resources to change their circumstances, and may not have attention of decision makers. As the world faces environmental challenges from climate change, expanding agriculture, and increased industrialization, the health of a growing number of people living in poverty in developing countries is at even greater risk. Without healthy populations, economic and human development are at stake. With increasingly interdependent economies and societies, a growing number of environmental issues are becoming global concerns. Studying the ecological and social underpinnings of health to protect and improve both human health and ecosystems around the world is no longer simply good practice, it is essential.

Ecohealth research enables positive changes that benefit human health and the environment. A research approach with Canadian roots, the field is responding to both new and long-standing environmental challenges affecting human health and impeding development. To achieve lasting impacts, researchers need to work across disciplines, engage communities and decision makers, and seek local and traditional knowledge. They need to consider gender and social equity as they conduct research and develop ecologically sustainable strategies for improving health and livelihoods in developing countries.

The Ecosystems and Health Program strives to continue building the field of ecohealth with new knowledge on environmental change, emerging and re-emerging diseases, and on healthier communities in agricultural ecosystems. The Program also strengthens ecohealth research leadership and autonomy in the developing world by encouraging active participation in public debates, engaging in decision-making processes, and building capacity for ecohealth research.

For more information about Ecohealth, write to (in English, en français, en español):

Research Officer
Ecosystems and Human Health Program
International Development Research Centre
PO Box 8500
Ottawa, ON, Canada K1G 3H9
fax: (+1-613) 567-7748
ecohealth@idrc.ca

Note for low bandwidth users: to view the Ecohealth website without images go to http://www.idrc.ca/pda/rpe/ev-3314-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html

Ecohealth: Improving the health of people and the environment 2010-07
Research carried out using ecosystem approaches to human health, pioneered by IDRC in the 1990s, has significantly improved health and welfare around the world.

New Canada-Australia Research Partnership in Southeast Asia for the Prevention of Emerging Diseases 2009-08
A new collaboration between IDRC, the Canadian International Development Agency, and the Australian Agency for International Development will examine how new diseases emerge in Southeast Asia and identify what can be done to prevent their spread among vulnerable populations.