Why Sustainability is important for Public Health?

The healthcare industry contributes to the global emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) through various activities such as energy consumption, transportation, and waste generation. According to a 2020 report by Health Care Without Harm, the healthcare sector is responsible for approximately 4.4% of the world's GHG emissions. This is equivalent to the emissions produced by approximately 514 coal-fired power plants.

Within the healthcare sector, hospitals and other healthcare facilities are the largest contributors to GHG emissions, accounting for approximately 70% of the sector's emissions. The largest sources of GHG emissions in healthcare facilities include energy consumption for heating, cooling, and lighting, as well as the use of medical equipment and supplies. Other contributors to GHG emissions in the healthcare industry include pharmaceutical production, transportation of medical supplies and equipment, and waste generation. For example, the production and transportation of pharmaceuticals can result in significant emissions of GHGs, as can the disposal of medical waste.

The life sciences industry, which includes pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and medical devices, also contributes to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, the exact contribution of this industry to global emissions is difficult to quantify due to the complexity of the industry's supply chains and the diversity of its products. The production of pharmaceuticals and medical devices can result in emissions of GHGs through the use of energy and raw materials in the manufacturing process, as well as the transportation of products. In addition, the use of pharmaceuticals and medical devices can contribute to GHG emissions through the disposal of packaging materials and medical waste. One study published in the Journal of Cleaner Production estimated that the life sciences industry contributes to approximately 2.5% of global GHG emissions. This study found that the majority of emissions from the industry were associated with the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients and the use of energy in manufacturing processes.

However, Sustainable health refers to the intersection between public health and sustainable development. It is the concept of promoting health and well-being while considering the long-term impact of our actions on the environment and society. Sustainable health recognizes the interdependence between environmental, social, and economic factors and their impact on human health.

Sustainable health involves several key elements, including:

1. Environmental health: The quality of the environment, including air, water, and soil, can have a significant impact on human health. Sustainable health promotes environmental protection to ensure healthy living conditions for all.
2. Social determinants of health: Sustainable health recognizes that social factors such as poverty, inequality, and access to healthcare can have a significant impact on health outcomes. It promotes policies and initiatives that aim to reduce health inequalities and promote social justice.
3. Healthy lifestyles: Promoting healthy lifestyles, such as regular exercise, healthy eating, and mental wellness, is an essential aspect of sustainable health. Encouraging sustainable transportation options, such as walking or cycling, can also help promote physical activity and reduce air pollution.
4. Access to healthcare: Sustainable health promotes universal access to healthcare, as well as the development of healthcare systems that are resilient and can adapt to changing environmental and social conditions.

Sustainable health is about creating a healthier and more sustainable future for all, by promoting health and well-being while considering the long-term impact of our actions on the environment and society.

Environmental Health

Environmental health is important for sustainability from a public health perspective because the quality of the environment has a significant impact on human health. Environmental degradation and pollution can lead to a range of health problems, including respiratory and cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neurological disorders. Promoting environmental sustainability is essential for protecting public health, as it can help to reduce the burden of disease and improve the overall well-being of communities.

Here are some reasons why environmental health is important for sustainability from a public health perspective:

1. Air and water quality: Poor air and water quality can lead to a range of health problems, including respiratory and cardiovascular disease. Promoting environmental sustainability means reducing air and water pollution, which can have a significant impact on public health.
2. Food safety: Ensuring the safety and sustainability of our food supply is essential for promoting public health. Promoting sustainable agriculture and reducing the use of harmful chemicals in food production can help to improve food safety and reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses.
3. Climate change: Climate change has significant implications for public health, including increased heat-related illnesses, more frequent and severe natural disasters, and the spread of vector-borne diseases. Promoting environmental sustainability means reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change, which can help to protect public health.
4. Healthy built environments: The design and construction of buildings and communities can have a significant impact on public health. Promoting sustainable urban planning and building design can help to create healthier and more livable communities, with access to green spaces, active transportation options, and safe and healthy housing.

By promoting environmental sustainability, we can help to create healthier and more resilient communities, both now and in the future.

Social Determinants of Health

Addressing social determinants of health from a sustainability perspective involves taking a holistic approach to improving the well-being of communities, considering not only the economic and social aspects of people's lives but also the environmental factors that impact their health. Here are some ways to address social determinants of health from a sustainability perspective:

1. Reduce poverty: Poverty is a key social determinant of health, and addressing it is essential for improving health outcomes. Sustainable approaches to poverty reduction include promoting sustainable economic growth and creating jobs that pay a living wage, as well as ensuring access to affordable housing, food, and healthcare.
2. Promote education: Education is also an important social determinant of health. Promoting sustainable education systems, including early childhood education and adult education, can help to improve health outcomes by increasing literacy rates, promoting healthy behaviors, and enabling people to access better jobs and higher incomes.
3. Create healthy living environments: The built environment can have a significant impact on health outcomes. Sustainable urban planning and design can help to create healthy living environments by ensuring access to green spaces, public transportation, and safe and healthy housing.
4. Address social inequalities: Social inequalities, including race, gender, and income disparities, can have a significant impact on health outcomes. Promoting social justice and equity is essential for addressing these social determinants of health and creating sustainable communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Social determinants of health from a sustainability perspective involves taking a comprehensive approach to improving the well-being of communities, considering the interdependence between economic, social, and environmental factors. By promoting sustainability, we can help to create healthier and more equitable communities, both now and in the future.

Healthy lifestyles

Achieving good health and well-being through sustainability requires a holistic approach that considers not only the economic and social aspects of people's lives but also the environmental factors that impact their health. Here are some ways to achieve good health and well-being through sustainability:

1. Promote healthy lifestyles: Encouraging healthy behaviors, such as physical activity, healthy eating, and stress reduction, can help to prevent chronic diseases and improve overall well-being. Sustainable approaches to promoting healthy lifestyles include creating safe and accessible environments for physical activity, promoting local food systems, and encouraging community engagement in health initiatives.
2. Improve access to healthcare: Access to healthcare is a critical component of good health and well-being. Sustainable approaches to improving access to healthcare include investing in primary care and preventative services, promoting telemedicine and other innovative approaches to healthcare delivery, and ensuring that healthcare is affordable and accessible to all.
3. Create healthy living environments: The built environment can have a significant impact on health outcomes. Sustainable urban planning and design can help to create healthy living environments by ensuring access to green spaces, public transportation, and safe and healthy housing.
4. Address environmental health risks: Environmental health risks, such as air and water pollution, can have a significant impact on public health. Sustainable approaches to addressing environmental health risks include promoting clean energy and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving air and water quality, and promoting sustainable agriculture and food systems.
5. Address social determinants of health: Social determinants of health, such as poverty and social inequality, can have a significant impact on health outcomes. Sustainable approaches to addressing social determinants of health include promoting social justice and equity, reducing poverty, and promoting education and economic opportunities for all.

By promoting sustainability, we can help to create healthier and more equitable communities, both now and in the future.

Access to healthcare

Access to healthcare is important to achieve sustainability for several reasons:

1. Promoting good health and well-being: Access to healthcare is essential for promoting good health and well-being, which is one of the key goals of sustainable development. By providing access to healthcare services, individuals can receive timely diagnosis, treatment, and prevention services that can help them to stay healthy and avoid illness.
2. Reducing health inequalities: Access to healthcare can help to reduce health inequalities by providing equal opportunities for all individuals to receive quality healthcare services, regardless of their socioeconomic status or geographic location. This can help to promote social justice and reduce disparities in health outcomes.
3. Addressing the burden of disease: Access to healthcare can help to address the burden of disease by providing early detection and treatment of diseases, as well as promoting prevention measures that can help to reduce the incidence of diseases.
4. Building resilient healthcare systems: Access to healthcare can also help to build resilient healthcare systems that can respond effectively to emergencies and disasters, such as pandemics, natural disasters, and other health crises. This can help to ensure that healthcare services are available when and where they are needed most, and that they are able to adapt to changing circumstances.

This is essential for achieving sustainable development, as it can help to promote good health and well-being, reduce health inequalities, address the burden of disease, and build resilient healthcare systems.

Why Sustainability is important for Public Health?

Sustainability recognizes the interdependence between environmental, social, and economic factors and their impact on human health. Public health is concerned with promoting and protecting the health of populations, and sustainability is about ensuring that we can meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Here are some reasons why sustainability is important in public health:

1. Protecting the environment protects public health: The quality of the environment, including air, water, and soil, can have a significant impact on human health. Promoting environmental sustainability is essential for protecting public health, as environmental degradation can lead to a range of health problems, including respiratory and cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neurological disorders.
2. Addressing social determinants of health: Sustainable public health recognizes that social factors such as poverty, inequality, and access to healthcare can have a significant impact on health outcomes. Promoting sustainability means addressing these social determinants of health to reduce health inequalities and promote social justice.
3. Promoting healthy lifestyles: Sustainable public health promotes healthy lifestyles, such as regular exercise, healthy eating, and mental wellness. Encouraging sustainable transportation options, such as walking or cycling, can also help promote physical activity and reduce air pollution.
4. Building resilient healthcare systems: Sustainable public health recognizes the need for healthcare systems that are resilient and can adapt to changing environmental and social conditions. Building sustainable healthcare systems can help to ensure that communities are better prepared to respond to emergencies and other health challenges.

Sustainability is important in public health because it promotes a holistic approach to health and well-being, recognizing the interdependence between environmental, social, and economic factors. By promoting sustainability, we can create healthier and more resilient communities, both now and in the future.