Local action, global health

Our human global population is estimated to reach 9 billion by 2050.

Environmental health is being threatened in both developed countries and developing countries increasing animal production to feed the world.

Technological advances are increasing the speed and distance with which animals, humans and diseases can move across our planet.

There are more than 1,400 known pathogens with three to four more being discovered or re-discovered every year.

These factors and others are increasing the convergence and biological mixing bowl of humans, animals, the environment and microbes in ways never before seen.

Out of this interaction and interdependence come dilemmas affecting human, animal, and environmental health. Attempts to create better living where humans, animals and the environment connect require dilemma management at local levels versus a problem / solution level of thinking.

The Kellogg Foundation supported project “Local Action Global Health” seeks to create communities of practices within the convergence issue. Four workshops held in Salzburg, Austria, in September 2007, at the University of Minnesota and Michigan State University in early 2008, and at Earth University, Costa Rica, in May 2008, have united professionals from industry, government and academia.

Findings and an overview from these workshops will be shared. The trends and challenges driving this convergence will be discussed along with the consideration of strategies for managing dilemmas at local levels for better global health.