Governance for health in the Anthropocene

Hancock, Trevor, Capon, Anthony G., Patrick, Rebecca and Dietrich, Uta, (2016). Governance for health in the Anthropocene. International Journal of Health Governance, 21(4), 245-262

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  • Sub-type Journal article
    Author Hancock, Trevor
    Capon, Anthony G.
    Patrick, Rebecca
    Dietrich, Uta
    Title Governance for health in the Anthropocene
    Appearing in International Journal of Health Governance
    Volume 21
    Issue No. 4
    Publication Date 2016
    Place of Publication Online
    Publisher Emerald Group Publishing
    Start page 245
    End page 262
    Language eng
    Abstract Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore the pressing issues facing health and health systems governance in the Anthropocene – a new geological time period that marks the age of colossal and rapid human impacts on Earth’s systems. Design/methodology/approach – The viewpoint illustrates the extent of various human induced global ecological changes such as climate change and biodiversity loss and explores the social forces behind the new epoch. It draws together current scientific evidence and expert opinion on the Anthropocene’s health and health system impacts and warns that many these are yet unknown and likely to interact and compound each other. Findings – Despite this uncertainty, health systems have four essential roles in the Anthropocene from adapting operations and preparing for future challenges to reducing their own contribution to global ecological changes and an advocacy role for social and economic changes for a healthier and more sustainable future. Practical implications – To live up to this challenge, health services will need to expand from a focus on health governance to one on governance for health with a purpose of achieving equitable and sustainable human development. Originality/value – As cities and local governments work to create more healthy, just and sustainable communities in the years ahead, health systems need to join with them as partners in that process, both as advocates and supporters and – through their own action within the health sector – as leading proponents and models of good practice.
    Keyword Sustainability
    Services
    Human capital development
    Anthropocene
    Ecological change
    Copyright Holder The Authors
    Copyright Year 2016
    Copyright type All rights reserved
    ISSN 2059-4631
    DOI 10.1108/IJHG-08-2016-0041
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    Created: Wed, 14 Dec 2016, 13:12:58 JST by Cheah, Swee Neo on behalf of UNU IIGH