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Exploring scenarios for the food system-zoonotic risk interface
Alon Shepon1, Tong Wu2, Claire Kremen3
1Department of Environmental Studies, The Porter School of the Environment and Earth Sciences, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; The Steinhardt Museum of Natural History, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
The Lancet. Planetary Health
|April 5, 2023
Summary
Food systems significantly influence zoonotic spillover risks. Understanding the links between food production, land use, and agricultural practices is crucial for preventing future pandemics and promoting sustainability.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Public Health
- Food Systems Analysis
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical need to address zoonotic disease drivers.
- Zoonotic spillover events are linked to human activities within food systems, including habitat fragmentation and land use change.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the intricate connections between food systems, zoonotic diseases, and sustainability.
- To analyze how different food system structures influence pandemic risk.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a scenario framework to model food systems.
- Identified key dimensions: land use extent and agricultural practices.
- Defined four archetypal food systems based on these dimensions.
Main Results:
- Each archetypal food system presents a distinct risk profile for zoonotic spillovers.
- Food system characteristics are key determinants of pandemic risk.
- Prophylactic measures against zoonotic diseases are connected to dietary choices and food policies.
Conclusions:
- Emerging infectious diseases must be integrated into food systems discourse.
- Modifying food systems offers a pathway to mitigate zoonotic spillover risks.
- Further research is needed on the impact of food system characteristics on spillover events.
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