Preparing for the future of public health: Ecological determinants of health and the call for an eco-social approach to public health education
This resource is available in English only.
In this 2019 journal article, authors Parkes et al. make a strong case for taking an ecosocial approach in public health education. Such an approach would mean that addressing massive ecological changes would be considered a necessary part of achieving population health goals, including reducing health inequities.
An eco-social approach in public health education
An ecosocial approach in public health education would prioritize the interconnections between ecological, social and economic factors; it would also complement learning and action on the social determinants of health.
The authors argue that an ecosocial orientation would support public health system actors’ ability to meaningfully influence practice, programs and policy. They note that taking an ecosocial approach in public health challenges traditional public health roles, responsibilities and structures. Public health professionals are therefore positioned as those who will be called upon to collaborate within the health sector and across other sectors, driving larger systems change for a just and sustainable future.
Ecological determinants of health and wellness
The authors acknowledge that educational reform must be complemented by a larger system-level shift. They emphasize the need for an increased understanding of other holistic conceptualizations of health and wellness, including knowledge held by Indigenous leaders and communities on relationships between ecological, social, cultural and intergenerational determinants of health.
They also reference the landmark 2015 discussion paper Global change and public health: Addressing the ecological determinants of health, listing the key components of a public health response to the ecological determinants of health.
Use this resource to
- increase your understanding of the connections between the ecological determinants of health and the social determinants of health;
- advocate for an ecosocial approach in public health education; and
- initiate discussions about building capacity to work across sectors and take an equity-focused, ecosocial approach within public health organizations.
Reference
Parkes, M. W., Poland, B., Allison, S., Cole, D. C., Culbert, I., Gislason, M. K., Hancock, T., Howard, C., Papadopoulos, A., & Waheed, F. (2019). Preparing for the future of public health: ecological determinants of health and the call for an eco-social approach to public health education. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 111(1), 60–64. https://doi.org/10.17269/s41997-019-00263-8
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- Climate change, health equity and public health responses: A curated list
- NCCDH resources: Climate change and health equity
Tags: Planetary health, Document, Journal Article