The role of foundations: Rockefeller Foundation

Area of Science:

• Environmental health
• Public health
• Global health

Background:

• Climate change and human activities increasingly impact environmental systems.
• Current public health models do not adequately address the link between human health and natural systems.
• The concept of Planetary Health emerged to bridge this gap, considering future harms over present gains.

Purpose of the Study:

• To advocate for an evolution of public health towards a "public health 2.0" model.
• To introduce and define "Planetary Health" as a framework for future health considerations.
• To highlight the need for increased research and information sharing.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual framework development.
• Literature review and synthesis of existing research.
• Policy and funding recommendations.

Main Results:

• Planetary Health integrates human well-being with natural systems.
• This approach prioritizes future health and environmental harms, especially for vulnerable populations.
• Addressing information gaps requires increased research support.

Conclusions:

• A paradigm shift to Planetary Health is essential for sustainable well-being.
• Foundations must support research to understand the complex interdependencies.
• Future public health strategies must account for planetary boundaries.