B6273 - Health in socio-ecological systems

Learning outcomes

Students will learn how anthropogenic practices, such as changes in land use, urbanisation, animal production methods and the widespread use of antimicrobials, have an impact on disease transmission. Furthermore, they will be able to see how the relationship between humans and animals has evolved over time: on the one hand, animals may pose a risk for the transmission of zoonotic infections or contribute to the spread of antimicrobial resistance; on the other hand, they may be used for therapeutic purposes, as part of so-called ‘animal-assisted therapy’.

Course contents

Ecosystems and social-ecological systems (SES) in which health challenges emerge can be described as complex adaptive systems (CAS). Anthropogenic practices have an effect on the dynamics of interaction between humans, animals and the environment influencing health emergencies. The connections between humans, animals and the environment make it necessary to collaborate across sectors to understand and reduce risks and consequences to health and well-being. The One Health approach offers opportunities to combine synergistic expertise to address complex health threats at the interface level and emphasises the need for collaboration between specialists from different disciplines. The module aims to illustrate the One Health approach to effectively prevent and control health risks in social-ecological systems. The objective of the module is to understand how to apply a holistic approach to deal with the complexity of different health challenges in different scenarios through case studies

Lecture 1 - One Health approach to manage health risks in socio-ecological systems. Humans and animals live and share the same ecosystems and share natural resources, the environment, food, air and water. Many of the major health challenges stem from the complex interactions between humans, animals and the ecosystemsin which they live. The lecture will introduce the evolving concepts of One health and discuss the importance of adopting a holistic approach to health. The SDGs provide a key entry point for the OH approach to drive a paradigm shift in policy and practice towards a fully integrated approach to Health in social ecological systems.

Lecture 2 - Shifts in the interactions and dynamics between humans and animals Anthropocene is characterized by the inextricable interconnection of humans, pet animals, livestock and wildlife and their social and ecological environment requiring integrated approaches to health and their respective social and environmental contexts.

Lecture 3 -Antimicrobial resistance and globalization - The increase in human population and its ramifications of rapid urbanisation, intensified livestock production, encroachment of ecosystems and globalised trade lead to the so called global health challenges. Globalization and AMR will be discusse d as case studies

Lecture 4 - Human-animal bonds- The emerging health challenges linked to urbanisation and the drivers that enhanced the emergence of new diseases in humans will be discussed through case studies. Urbanite population. Microbial communities can be transferred between both humans and animals through close contact. More urbanized and walled-in built environments have a greater content of human-associated microbes compared to more rural and open dwellings. the urbanised population establishes different relationships with animals than the population living in rural settings. What are the consequences of living with animals in an urban environment?

 

Readings/Bibliography

Bibliographic and multimedia resources will be provided by the lecturer

Teaching methods

The following teaching methods will be used
theoretical lectures, discussion of cases

Assessment methods

Preparation of a final report

Teaching tools

Power point presentations, videos, online resources. 

Office hours

See the website of Alessandra Scagliarini