211843 Unintended consequences: Health challenges in the tropics related to water resources development; a review

Tuesday, November 10, 2009: 2:50 PM

Michael Harhay, MBe, BS , University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
The construction of dams, irrigation systems, fish ponds and industrial water basins are some of the most commonly employed and effective strategies used to satisfy the ever increasing local sanitation, industrial, food, and energy needs of tropical communities. Yet, there is proof that the development and management of these water resources in tropical and subtropical climate zones has recurrently resulted in the intensification or introduction of water-related vector-borne parasitic diseases, such as lymphatic filariasis, malaria, and schistosomiasis, even into previously non-endemic areas. However, rigorous health impact assessments and mitigation plans for such diverse negative consequences have rarely been part of project planning. Using the Three Gorges Dam in China as a case study, this talk will review the most commonly observed negative health consequences engendered by water resources development in tropical settings.

Learning Objectives:
Describe negative health consequences created by water resources development in tropical settings.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: coming soon.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.