Protecting and promoting human health
While much biosecurity effort is focused on primary production and the health of our environment, the health of the human population is also a key consideration that is woven throughout our biosecurity system. Achieving positive outcomes for human health requires, among other things, MAF to provide leadership while collaborating effectively with partner organisations. In the following article, Doug Lush, Principal Adviser Human Health with the MAF Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ) Post Border Directorate, looks at human health from a biosecurity perspective.
The determinants of human health
The health and wellbeing of people is determined in large part by the social, economic, cultural and environmental contexts in which they live, work and play. Most of the determinants of health (diet, income, housing, education, employment) lie outside the direct influence of health services and "lifestyle" choices. Optimising human health outcomes requires the combined efforts of many agencies, including central and local government.
Agriculture and health
The agricultural sector has an important influence on the health of New Zealanders, including its contribution to our food supply, our economy and via its numerous contributions to our physical and social environment. Awareness and understanding of the links between our agricultural base and the health of our population can assist in developing policies that protect and promote health while enhancing the long-term sustainability of the primary production sector. Many of the links between health and agricultural occur via complex pathways that are poorly understood. To understand such interactions we need to consider evidence from many different disciplines and perspectives.
An ecosystem approach to human health
Human health relies on intact ecosystems to provide goods (water, food etc) and services (purification of air, water, soil, waste disposal). Changes in the pattern of land use, technology, and the intensity of human activities can impact on the ecosystems that are essential for the delivery and maintenance of our health and wellbeing.
An ecosystem approach to health within an agricultural context for example, challenges us to consider the impacts of the agricultural sector on the ecosystems that support human health.
Climate change: an example of ecosystem degradation
Climate change is a pressing example of the consequences of human activities on global ecosystem integrity. The greatest contributor to climate change has been greenhouse gas emissions from the unrestrained burning of fossil fuels (56 percent) with deforestation responsible for 18 percent of global emissions. Climate change poses many practical and strategic challenges for both the health and the agricultural sectors. The New Zealand response to climate change requires both adapting to the projected changes, mitigation to reduce further greenhouse gas emissions and capturing business opportunities associated with climate change.
In the context of MAFBNZ biosecurity practices and policies need to adapt to the projected changes in climate. These include the increased range of human, animal and plant pests and diseases that might arrive and become established in New Zealand, and the expanded range of existing plants and diseases. Coordination of the planning for extreme climatic events (reduction, readiness, response and recovery) across sectors can enhance the resilience of rural communities, including protecting and promoting animal and human health.
Climate change mitigation measures introduced within the agricultural sector over the next decade will have important economic impacts (including the costs of emissions trading and the benefits of market access) as well as direct impacts on health and wellbeing (such as improved water quality as a result of afforestation and nitrogen management). Consideration of the potential benefits for human health and increased community resilience should be factored into the policy process.
Human health and biosecurity
MAFBNZ is responsible for leading, coordinating and implementing New Zealand's biosecurity system while balancing the social, economic and cultural costs and benefits. Understanding the human-health impacts of all biosecurity activities is essential in delivering on this responsibility. Human health issues and impacts need to be considered across the full spectrum of MAFBNZ activities including policy, risk analysis, science strategy, import health standards, surveillance, preparedness, incursion response and pest management.
Partnerships with the health sector
The health sector is an important partner in delivering biosecurity outcomes. It is important that MAFBNZ collaborate efficiently with our colleagues from health at the central, regional and local level. Collaboration requires agreement on how agencies work together where there are areas of overlapping responsibility. Good processes are essential when we are communicating with the public on issues that affect public health, to ensure that our messages are consistent and evidence based.
Starting in our own back yard
The health and wellbeing of the MAF workforce is critically important to the efficient and effective achievement of outcomes. As well as being a safe place to work, MAF can help promote the health of employees wherever possible. Policies and cultures that support staff wellbeing can also reduce the organisation's environmental impact, operating costs and carbon footprint.
- Doug Lush, Principal Adviser Human Health, Post Border Directorate, MAF Biosecurity New Zealand, doug.lush@maf.govt.nz
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Page last updated: 30 April 2008