How to Stop the Next Pandemic? Stop Deforestation

Neil Vora, a physician and disease detective, discusses the intricate link between deforestation, disease outbreaks, and public health.

He presents compelling evidence on how environmental devastation has led to deadly epidemics and suggests a proactive approach for prevention.

A Flawed Approach to Public Health

The current reactive approach to public health is flawed.

Instead of waiting for disease outbreaks to occur and then responding, we should focus on prevention.

One major preventative measure involves protecting tropical forests which play an integral role in maintaining human health.

Deforestation as a Disease Catalyst

Deforestation can lead to disease outbreaks.

This was seen in the West African Ebola epidemic where communities were forced into closer contact with wildlife like bats due to forest clearing.

This pattern isn’t unique; all five viral pandemics from 1918 through 2009 have connections to animal interactions.

Three Ways Deforestation Unleashes Disease

Deforestation leads to disease by allowing animals that cohabit with humans (often carrying germs that can infect people) to survive; bringing people into closer contact with wildlife; and stressing animals who lose their homes, making them more susceptible to spreading diseases.

Climate Change Amplifies Infectious Diseases

Over half of known infectious diseases in humans have been exacerbated by climate change at some point.

The increasing threat of such diseases makes the protection of tropical forests even more crucial as they serve as potential solutions.

Preventing Outbreaks Through Community Solutions

Community-designed solutions can reverse deforestation while improving public health.

By addressing deforestation issues, we can prevent disease outbreaks, slow down climate change and ensure income doesn’t dictate health outcomes.

Bridging Sectors for Preventative Solutions

To accelerate the adoption of preventative solutions, it’s essential to build bridges between the health, climate, and conservation sectors.

These areas are interconnected as pandemics, climate change and environmental destruction feed off each other.

Interconnectedness of Health

It’s crucial to understand that human health, animal health and environmental health are interconnected.

Preserving the delicate ecological balance we depend upon requires a collective effort.