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Geography, ecology and emerging infectious diseases
1Department of Geography, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, USA. jmayer@u.washington.edu
Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|March 14, 2000
Summary
Emerging infectious diseases present complex challenges, requiring an interdisciplinary approach. Political ecology offers a framework to understand the ecological web of causation for these diseases.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) are gaining significant scholarly and public attention.
- Both novel and resurgent infectious diseases pose global health challenges.
- Understanding EIDs requires examining social, economic, environmental, and biological factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize the major characteristics of emerging diseases.
- To explore an interdisciplinary context for understanding EIDs.
- To evaluate political ecology as a framework for disease analysis.
Main Methods:
- Literature synthesis.
- Interdisciplinary analysis.
- Application of political ecology framework.
Main Results:
- EIDs are characterized by complex causation webs.
- An interdisciplinary approach is crucial for EID research.
- Political ecology provides a valuable lens for modified disease ecology.
Conclusions:
- Emerging infectious diseases necessitate a holistic, interdisciplinary understanding.
- Political ecology is a promising framework for analyzing the complex factors driving disease emergence and resurgence.