Abstract

Boyd Orr Centre for Population and Ecosystem Health, Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ , UK

We are increasingly aware that an understanding of the interactions and independencies between humans, animals and the environment is important for tackling many of the diseases that threaten human health, food security and livelihoods. The complexity and scale of these interactions presents a considerable challenge that demands effective integration of approaches from the disciplines of medicine, veterinary medicine, ecology, social sciences, and economics, as well as an effective interface between research and policy uptake.

Drawing on research from Tanzania, the presentation will discuss how disease transmission between host populations not only has direct implications for human and animal health, but also widespread ecological, social and economic consequences. Examples will include studies of transboundary livestock diseases (such as foot-and-mouth disease), diseases that threaten local livelihoods and create land-use conflict (such as malignant catarrhal fever), and zoonotic diseases impacting directly on human and wildlife health (such as rabies). The presentation will discuss how research has informed the design of strategies for disease control and land-use management in order to optimise ecosystem health outcomes.