Environmental Change and Disease

Description

This foundational module will explore the interdependencies between natural systems and human disease in a time of rapid environmental change. Acknowledging diverse and changing perspectives on health and the environment across history and cultures, students will be introduced to emerging concepts and issues in this field, fundamental approaches to assess evidence for causal relationships between environment and disease as well as begin to develop an understanding of the complex socioecological systems within which remedial action can be taken. Teaching Delivery: This module is taught in 20 weekly lectures and 10 weekly PGTA-led seminars.  Indicative Topics *Based on module content in 2024/25, subject to possible changes.  Emerging fields in health and environment  Defining the Anthropocene  Global health and the global burden of disease  The great acceleration and planetary boundaries  Evidence of association between environment and disease  Chemical and plastic pollution  Climate and health  Biodiversity and infectious diseases  Biodiversity and nutrition  Indigenous ecologies and health  Natural hazard and displacement  Late lessons from early warnings and the Precautionary Principle  Environmental justice and the commercial determinants of health  Socio-ecological systems  Nature-based solutions to urban design  Valuing nature and alternatives to capitalism  Politics of hope  Encounters between people and ecosystems  Module aims and objectives At the end of this module, you will be able to: Reflect on how relevant disciplinary knowledge(s) have been historically and culturally constructed Describe contemporary health issues related to global environmental change through a cross-disciplinary perspective Synthesise knowledge from multiple disciplines to assess the strength of scientific evidence for an association between environment and health Apply systems thinking approaches to develop a qualitative understanding of the wider contexts within which remedial action may be taken. Recommended readings: Samuel Myers & Howard Frumkin 2020, Planetary Health : Protecting Nature to Protect Ourselves, Island Press, Washington, DC Maslin, M. (2021). How to save our planet : the facts / Mark A. Maslin. Penguin Life. Ghosh, A. (2021). The nutmeg’s curse : parables for a planet in crisis / Amitav Ghosh. John Murray Publishers.