Population, Health, and Environment (PHE) is a synergistic approach that considers the complex interactions among human populations and the environment that are at the center of global health challenges. For example, regions with the highest ecological biodiversity often overlap with human populations with the poorest access to health care, education services, and economic opportunities, resulting in exploitation of natural resources to maintain minimal standards of living. Similarly, rapid urbanization in developing regions is often accompanied by changes in diet toward processed rather than locally grown food. These changes have resulted in major epidemics of obesity and serious risk of chronic health problems. These sorts of human-environment interactions create systematic health inequalities and burdens that can rapidly spread. PHE recognizes these complexities and attempts to identify the most efficacious interventions that simultaneously contribute to better management of natural resources and promote sustainability of human populations.
Why we work where we do…
Our work currently focuses on three regions of Peru: Madre de Dios, Loreto, and San Martin. All three regions are renowned for their biodiversity and unique environmental characteristics. Since the late 1980s, artisanal and small scale gold mining (ASGM) has boomed in Madre de Dios, generating the majority of Peru’s gold production, which is the 5th largest in the world. The recent construction of the Interoceanic Highway in 2014 has provided increased impetus for ASGM expansion, resulting in destruction of pristine natural reserves and high mercury exposure in human populations. In Loreto, road construction, oil exploration and logging have been the major drivers of human-environment interactions. Over 90% of malaria cases and 50% of Dengue cases reported in Peru occur in Loreto where economic development has been stagnant for decades. In all these regions, understanding how land use change, informal markets and economic incentives impact human health is crucial to unweaving the complex interconnectivity and interdependence that pose a risk to human health and the environment.
Getting Involved
We are always looking for new collaborators, students, and challenging questions focused on human and environmental health. To get involved or send us comments, please CONTACT US with your interest in our group. We look forward to hearing from you!