Sustainable Health and Disease Management

Health Promotion and Education. Active and Healthy ageing: Disease management also relies on educating and sensitizing the population on prevention practices. Promoting a culture of health and sustainability, such as the importance of hygiene, vaccination and self-care, contributes to a healthier population that is aware of its environment.

Emerging Diseases: Climate change and urbanisation increase the likelihood of the emergence of new zoonotic (animal-to-human transmitted) diseases, putting both public health and the economy of urban coastal communities at risk

Adaptation to New Health Threats: Climate change is altering disease patterns, creating new challenges, such as the spread of infectious diseases in areas where they were previously uncommon. Proper disease management means being prepared for these changes, adapting health systems to cope with these new threats.

Control of Zoonotic Diseases: Zoonotic diseases, those that are transmitted from animals to humans, are increasingly common due to deforestation, climate change and urban sprawl. Proper management of these diseases involves practices that protect both human health and biodiversity, ensuring ecological balance.

Equitable Access to Health: Adequate disease management ensures that vulnerable communities, such as low-income or rural communities, have access to basic health care, reducing social inequalities and promoting equity.

Effective Disease Management reduces suffering and stress related to serious or chronic diseases. This promotes social well-being and contributes to a more resilient society. Prevention and treatment of chronic and emerging diseases not only saves lives, but also improves people’s quality of life, enabling them to participate actively in society and community development.

Mental Health and Efficient and Proactive Chronicity Management:  Climate change induced stress, depression, and anxiety affect sectors like agriculture, fisheries, and tourism. People in disaster-prone areas may face ongoing fear and emotional distress due to loss of property and loved ones. Forced displacement from rising sea levels can cause social disconnection and stress, harming mental health. Changes to ecosystems, such as the destruction of coastal habitats or biodiversity, can lead to grief and hopelessness for those emotionally connected to nature.

Water Pollution and Environmental Quality. Raising Awareness:  Water pollution affects human and animal health, as well as the local economy, particularly in tourism and fishing. Managing aquifer salinization and access to drinking water in coastal cities with population growth is crucial for sustainability. Many diseases are linked to poor environmental conditions, so improving waste treatment, water quality, and reducing air pollution are essential.

Development of Resilient Health Infrastructures: Disease management involves not only direct medical care, but also building public health infrastructures that are resilient and sustainable. This includes strengthening epidemiological surveillance systems, outbreak response capacity, and training trained personnel to deal with public health emergencies.