Infectious disease, social determinants and the need for intersectoral action

Effectively addressing infectious diseases requires a broad multifaceted approach. Public health efforts in the 19 century emphaasized cleanliness and good living conditions. The germ theory of disease that subsequently prevailed led to some important breakthroughs in vaccines and antimicrobials-but also bred complacency. Now, in light of emerging and re-emerging infections and antimicrobial resistance, we know that a unidisciplinary approach to infectious disease control is no longer sufficient and that it is through working with others that we can identify practical ways to address all the factors at play in the emergence and persistence of infectious diseases. When working across sectors, inter-professionally or with intergovernmental or coalition activities, there are four important principles to apply: respect, practicality, the rule of three and having something to offer.