Category Archives: Human Health

Climate Change, Human Health, Planetary Health

Feeling the heat -or not?

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Dutch youth are growing up in a world where environmental problems are hard to ignore. From disappearing green spaces to rising urban heat, many young adults feel these changes deeply. But how do they cope? And are we paying enough attention?

Our recent study surveyed over 1,000 young people in the Netherlands (aged 16–35) and found something striking: while nearly all respondents had experienced at least one form of environmental stress (especially noise and loss of nature), their emotional responses were far from uniform.

✅ About 20% reported that these stressors significantly affected their daily lives.
✅ 23% worried about the future of their local environment.
✅ 36% felt emotional pain (known as solastalgia) due to the degradation of their surroundings.
🚫 Yet at the same time, nearly 60% believed their own actions had little or no effect on environmental change.

The study reveals a complex picture: many young adults are clearly distressed by environmental degradation — but a large group also seems emotionally disengaged or feels powerless to act. Trust in government institutions is limited, and feelings of helplessness are widespread.

This mismatch between concern and engagement raises urgent questions:
How can we turn passive concern into meaningful action? How do we support young people in dealing with eco-anxiety and solastalgia? And how do we foster a sense of agency and collective care?

The answers may lie not just in policy, but in how we reconnect people — especially the next generation — with their local environments in ways that are empowering, inclusive, and hopeful.

Read the full study to explore how psychology, place attachment, and trust play a role in shaping how youth experience environmental change.

Venhof, V.S.M., Jeronimus, B.F. & Martens, P. (2025). Environmental Distress Among Dutch Young Adults: Worried Minds or Indifferent Hearts? EcoHealth https://doi.org/10.1007/s10393-025-01717-x

#EnvironmentalDistress #Solastalgia #DutchYouth #PlanetaryHealth #MentalHealth #EcoAnxiety #YoungVoices #Sustainability #ClimateJustice

Biodiversity, Human Health, Planetary Health, Science, wildlife

Nature’s Guardians: How Predators and Scavengers Protect Planetary Health

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When we think of wolves, vultures, bats or goannas, we might picture danger, disease, or inconvenience. But science is telling us a different story — one that positions these often-feared species as unsung heroes in the fight for a healthier planet.

Our recent paper published in BioScience argues that predators and scavengers play vital, underappreciated roles in maintaining ecological balance and even safeguarding human well-being. Far from being threats, these species are ecosystem regulators, quietly delivering public health benefits and economic value.

From Pest Control to Public Health

Take bats, for example. After bat populations in North America were decimated by white-nose syndrome, farmers had to compensate for lost insect control by using more pesticides. The result? A spike in agricultural costs — and alarmingly, a possible 8% increase in infant mortality in affected regions. The link? More insecticides, more environmental exposure, more risk.

And the vultures of India? Their rapid decline in the 1990s (due to a veterinary drug called diclofenac) caused livestock carcasses to pile up, triggering sanitation crises. Researchers estimate this led to over half a million human deaths and a $69 billion economic impact.

Biodiversity That Pays Off

It’s not just about disease. Predators like the New Zealand falcon help protect vineyards from grape-eating birds. Wolves reduce wildlife–vehicle collisions, saving human lives and insurance costs. Even reptiles like the Australian heath goanna help farmers by consuming fly-attracting carcasses that would otherwise impact livestock.

In short: these animals provide services — pest control, waste removal, disease regulation — that we’d otherwise have to pay for. And often, we’re not even aware of their silent labor.

A Call for Smarter Conservation

Yet despite these benefits, predators and scavengers are in steep decline — hunted, poisoned, or crowded out by development. Their role in planetary health is rarely recognized in global biodiversity frameworks. We urge policymakers to formally include these species as indicators in sustainability metrics, aligning with goals like the UN’s Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework.

Of course, coexistence isn’t simple. A lion that controls herbivore populations may also prey on livestock. That’s why the paper calls for a net-benefit approach: weigh the costs and contributions together, rather than making decisions based on fear or folklore.

The Takeaway

Planetary health isn’t just about climate graphs and pollution stats. It’s about recognizing the web of life that supports us — including the toothy, winged, or misunderstood creatures that clean, balance, and heal our ecosystems.

Protecting predators and scavengers isn’t charity. It’s public health insurance, food security, and climate resilience rolled into one — nature’s services, offered daily, free of charge.

Want to dig deeper? The full article is open access via BioScience.

Christopher J O’Bryan, Alexander R Braczkowski, Pim Martens (2025). Predators and scavengers as sentinels for planetary health, BioScience,  https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biaf054

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Human Health

How Much Does Climate Change Really Cost Our Health?

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The manifold impacts of climate change are also seen in the field of health in most countries. It is particularly so in Africa, whose health systems are amongst the most fragile in the world. In his paper we did a review of existing literature, an analysis of secondary data, and spatio-temporal mapping to identify patterns, challenges, and potential interventions. It showcases the degree of vulnerability of the health systems of African countries to climate change, and describes some measures aimed at increasing their resilience to climate shocks. African health systems face significant challenges due to climate change, necessitating a comprehensive approach to enhance resilience.

Africa is particularly vulnerable to climate change due to its reliance on rainfed agriculture, limited financial resources, and existing health challenges. The effects of climate change exacerbate issues such as food insecurity, water scarcity, and the spread of diseases, leading to a cyclical pattern of poverty and health deterioration. For instance, changing weather patterns can heighten the incidence of vector-borne diseases like malaria, directly impacting public health systems in African countries. International cooperation can foster the sharing of knowledge, resources, and innovative solutions to enhance resilience in vulnerable communities.

Frameworks linking climate change initiatives with health organizations such as the WHO can help develop integrated strategies aimed at mitigating health risks associated with climate variability. This could involve improving surveillance systems for disease outbreaks linked to climatic changes, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and reinforcing health infrastructure to cope with climate-related emergencies.

Moreover, such cooperation would encourage investments in climate adaptation and mitigation efforts. By pooling resources and expertise, countries can effectively tackle the multi-faceted challenges posed by climate change.

Building partnerships between African governments, international organizations, and local communities can lead to a more coordinated approach in combating the adverse impacts of climate change while safeguarding public health. Ultimately, strengthening these links will not only address immediate challenges but also promote sustainable development in the face of ongoing climate variability.

Read the full paper here: Filho, W. L., Gbaguidi, G.J., Diarrassouba, W. and Martens, P. (2025). Money for health: handling the costs of climate change to African health systems. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition , 44:86. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-00802-9

Biodiversity, Human Health, Nature Based Solutions, Planetary Health, zoonoses

Een betere relatie met de natuur zal onze gezondheid verbeteren

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Onze gezondheid is direct verbonden met de gezondheid van het systeem waarin planten, dieren en hun omgeving samenleven en elkaar beïnvloeden. Bossen zuiveren de lucht, ecosystemen leveren schoon water, en biodiversiteit houdt plagen onder controle. Vleermuizen illustreren deze nauwe verwevenheid tussen natuur en gezondheid. Deze dieren consumeren per nacht honderden insecten, waardoor muggen in toom gehouden worden die ziektes zoals knokkelkoorts en het westnijlvirus kunnen verspreiden. Ze  bieden natuurlijke plaagbestrijding en dragen bij aan een ecologisch evenwicht. Toch verdwijnen vleermuizen door  habitatverlies en regelgeving die hun bescherming niet garandeert. Recente voorstellen van onze woonminister binnen het programma STOER (Schrappen van Tegenstrijdige of Overbodige Eisen en Regelgeving), dat eisen voor verblijfplaatsen voor beschermde diersoorten wilde schrappen, tonen hoe beleid soms de verkeerde richting op gaat. Gelukkig werd dit voorstel weggestemd, maar het probleem blijft: we onderschatten de rol van natuur in onze volksgezondheid.

Gezondheid is geen geïsoleerd concept; het is een weerspiegeling van hoe we omgaan met onze leefomgeving.

Gezondheidsrisico’s

Klimaatverandering, grootschalige landbouw en verstedelijking leiden niet alleen tot natuurverlies, maar vergroten ook gezondheidsrisico’s, zoals de verspreiding van nieuwe ziekten en een toename van allergieën en mentale stress. Ondanks deze dreigingen worden natuurlijke oplossingen nog te vaak genegeerd in beleid en samenleving. Het probleem reikt natuurlijk verder dan vleermuizen. Onze omgang met dieren en ecosystemen vergroot het risico op infectieziekten, zoals bleek de afgelopen jaren tijdens de Q-koortsepidemie tussen 2006 en 2011 en de meer recente COVID-19-pandemie. Intensieve veehouderij, waar dieren dicht op elkaar leven, creëert een broedplaats voor pathogenen. De focus van de gezondheidszorg blijft echter te vaak beperkt tot symptoombestrijding, terwijl de oorzaak – onze verstoorde relatie met de natuur – nauwelijks ter discussie staat. Preventie door het behoud van biodiversiteit en duurzame landbouwsystemen is niet alleen ecologisch, maar ook economisch en maatschappelijk de verstandigste keuze.

Onze huidige welvaart is vaak ten koste gegaan van biodiversiteit, zowel hier als elders. Hoewel technologie en medicijnen onze levensverwachting hebben verhoogd, mag dit niet worden gezien als een vrijbrief om de natuur verder uit te putten. Gezondheid is geen geïsoleerd concept; het is een weerspiegeling van hoe we omgaan met onze leefomgeving. Als we ecosystemen gezond houden, bouwen we ook aan onze eigen veerkracht. De relatie tussen biodiversiteit en gezondheid is complex en helaas wordt het debat over biodiversiteit en ecosysteemdiensten zelden gekoppeld aan gezondheid, terwijl dit juist een krachtig uitgangspunt is. Gezondheid raakt iedereen – onze kinderen, onze gezinnen, onze toekomst. Het is tijd om natuur en gezondheid niet langer te scheiden. Een gezonde samenleving kan niet zonder een gezonde planeet. Laten we werken aan een toekomst waarin biodiversiteit niet alleen wordt gezien als een ecologisch doel, maar als een essentieel onderdeel van ons eigen welzijn.

We moeten leren de wereld om ons heen te zien als onderdeel van ons eigen welzijn.

Vleermuizen en andere diersoorten zijn geen obstakels, maar bondgenoten in de strijd voor een duurzame en gezonde wereld. Particulieren kunnen vleermuiskasten ophangen of tuinen vergroenen. Bouwers en woningcorporaties kunnen nog meer vleermuisvriendelijke ontwerpen integreren in nieuwbouw. Agrariërs kunnen bomenrijen en houtwallen behouden, die als  vliegroute dienen voor vleermuizen. Op beleidsniveau moeten beschermende maatregelen voor diersoorten niet worden versoepeld, maar juist worden versterkt. Daarnaast vraagt de intensieve veehouderij om een kritische herziening.

Het behoud van onze natuur is een investering in onze eigen toekomst. We staan voor een belangrijke keuze: blijven we kortetermijnoplossingen nastreven die de natuur verder uitputten, of zetten we in op een toekomst waarin natuur en gezondheid hand in hand gaan?

Verschenen in het Nederlands Dagblad, 21 januari 2025.

Climate Change, Human Health, indigenous worldview, Planetary Health

Sámi People’s Perspectives on Environmental Change and Mental Well-Being

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The current body of research on the interplay between environmental shifts and the mental well-being of Circumpolar Indigenous Peoples predominantly adopts a ‘deficit’ perspective, focusing on risks and vulnerabilities. However, scant attention has been paid to exploring the protective and resilience-enhancing factors rooted in Indigenous strengths, particularly among populations such as the Sámi in the Circumpolar North.

Circumpolar Indigenous communities such as the Sámi possess rich traditional knowledge and cultural practices deeply intertwined with their environment and identity. Areas warranting deeper qualitative exploration encompass the dynamics of ‘strength-based factors’ interplay, the influence of community norms, individual coping strategies, and language for the Sámi community, as well as the distinctive variations and parallels among Circumpolar Indigenous peoples’ encounters and viewpoints regarding mental well-being amidst environmental shifts. In forthcoming mental health research and policy formulation, collaboration and inclusion of Indigenous communities stand as imperative steps to deepen comprehension of local adversities, vulnerabilities, and strengths alongside the intricate interplay of social, economic, and historical elements impacting mental well-being, as well as the (local) potential for adaptation.

By studying Indigenous people’s perspectives, public health efforts can identify and build on existing strengths within Indigenous communities and families to support their capacity to adapt to environmental changes and to promote and protect mental well-being. Integrating their perspectives can help tailor public health interventions to be culturally relevant, place-specific, and respectful of Indigenous values and knowledge. Moreover, this approach facilitates the identification of vulnerable groups and addresses disparities in mental health outcomes across the Circumpolar North. Circumpolar Indigenous communities such as the Sámi possess a distinctive holistic perspective on health, embracing mental, physical, and spiritual dimensions. By integrating these viewpoints into research and policymaking processes, involving Indigenous voices can yield more robust public health strategies, effectively addressing mental health within a broader framework.

Read the full paper here: Venhof, V.S.M., Stephens, C., Martens, P. (2024). Voices from the North: Exploring Sámi People’s Perspectives on Environmental Change and Mental Well-Being: A Systematic Literature Review. Challenges, 15, 30. https://doi.org/10.3390/challe15020030

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Human Health

Health Impacts and Benefits of Urban Green Space 

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Both urbanization and climate change can be expected to aggravate several major human health problems.  An example is mental health: when urbanization increases, incidence rates of psychosis and depression also rise. Other relevant health problems in this respect are those associated with heat stress, air pollution and vector-transmitted infections.

A common characteristic of these urban health problems is that they are significantly affected by urban spatial design. A major element of urban spatial design is urban greenspace (UGS), which is more and more seen as a leverage point to address such urban health challenges.

In this paper, we present a new model, with the aim to address the shortcomings of existing methods and tools, and to meet the needs of urban spatial planners for quantitative, spatially explicit assessment of both the beneficial and detrimental impacts of UGS on human health. The model, named Urban-EcoMATCH (Urban Ecosystems Mapping and Assessment Tool of Costs and Benefits for Health), is applied it to the city of Maastricht (The Netherlands) with a (multi)hotspot analysis for five major urban health issues.: ‘Unattractive views’ (contributing to, e.g., psychological stress), ‘Heat stress’ (contributing to, e.g., heat stroke), ‘Air pollution’ (contributing to, e.g., respiratory diseases), ‘Perceived unsafety’ (contributing to, e.g., psychological stress), and Tick-bite risk’ (contributing to, e.g., Lyme disease).

With the model we were able to identify the hotspots, the areas within a city where urban design-related health problems are the largest. The hotspot analysis did not only provide concrete results for a specific city, but also generated more general insights into which spatial design-related health issues often occur together, and how greening strategies could reduce health burdens and/or enhance health benefits in these hotspots by paying attention to design aspects, especially to UGS type and location.

Read the full paper here: Oosterbroek, B., de Kraker, J., Huynen, M., Martens, P. & Verhoeven, K. (2023). Assessment of green space benefits and burdens for urban health with spatial modeling, Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 86, 128023, doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2023.128023.

consumer behaviour, Ecological Footprint, Human Health, Planetary Health, Sustainable Development

Understanding food cultures are important for reducing dietary environmental impacts

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Our food consumption patterns play a major role in determining both human and planetary health. A substantial body of evidence has shown that the current worldwide food consumption is not only contributing to 19–29% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, but is also responsible for using 37% of the Earth’s landmass.

Furthermore, worldwide rising income and urbanization have contributed to the dietary transition from plant-based products to more animal-based diets, and the category of “meat and meat products” contributes most to the environmental footprint in many parts of the world. The situation is expected to get worse as more populations are experiencing dietary transition, resulting in asymmetrical environmental degradation around the world.

Our study highlighted the importance to better understand the effects of geographical location and related food cultures for reducing the dietary environmental impacts. The present study also indicated that meat was the main source of the dietary environmental footprint in contemporary China, while the over-consumption of meat is severe for all groups of Chinese people.

Reversing this trend in China and other countries, and increasing the consumption of foods that are consistently associated with low environmental impacts, would undoubtedly have multiple environmental benefits. Hence, more interventions that seek to change people’s food consumption behaviors are specifically needed. This will require a better understanding of how individuals’ dietary behaviors are influenced by the interaction effect of economic conditions and dietary cultures within which individuals are embedded, not only in China but also in other countries with diverse food cultures.

Read the full paper here: Su, B., Zhang, C., Martens, P. & Cao, X. (2023). How economic and geographical indicators affect dietary environmental footprint: Evidence from China. Ecological Indicators, Volume 148, April 2023, 110075, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2023.110075

Climate Change, Human Health, Klimaatverandering

Climate Change can Exaggerate the Effect of Ozone on Cardiovascular Mortality

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Ozone is one of the main air pollutants, and is a global health hazard. Ozone increases the short-term risks of the worldwide total mortality and attribute to about 63 million of mortality around the world. The health effects of ozone are demanding more attention because of its high concentration and the larger influence of climate change in the future.

Ambient ozone pollution becomes critical in China, as in many places in the world. Conclusions on the short-term effects of ozone on cardiovascular mortality have been controversial and limited on cause-specific cardiovascular mortalities and their interactions with season and temperature.

This research aimed to investigate the short-term effects of ozone and the modifications of season and temperature on cardiovascular mortality in China. Higher temperature, particularly extreme heat, rather than warm season, could significantly enhance the adverse effects of ozone on cardiovascular mortality in population under 65 years old. The revealed cardiovascular impacts of ozone below current (national) standards of air quality urges for improved standards and interventions in China, and other places with similar interactions.

Read the full paper here: Gao, P., Wu, Y., He, L., Wang, L., Fu, Y., Chen, J., Zhang, F., Krafft, T. & Martens, P. (2023). Adverse short-term effects of ozone on cardiovascular mortalities modified by season and temperature: a time-series study. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, DOI: doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1182337

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Human Health, indigenous worldview, interdisciplinary, Planetary Health, scientivism, Sustainable Development

Planetary Health: The Recipe for a Sustainable Future

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The concept of Planetary Health is too human-oriented. The emphasis here is mainly on the consequences for our health through global environmental disturbances. Later definitions are already better, with the focus more on the health of our planet and the realization that human health ultimately depends on the health of the planet. For example, climate change and the decrease in biodiversity are unhealthy for the earth and everything that lives on it, including humans. However, the field of Planetary Health is more than that. It is not only the realization that everything is connected, but also the realization that it is not nearly enough to keep the planet ‘as it is’. Positive, regenerative development must take place to keep the planet and everything on it healthy. This also includes a different way of dealing with our earth, a change of perspective. When we respect our planet, we respect life, we respect ourselves. That is also what I believe Planetary Health stands for. Taking sustainability to the next level!

Read, watch or listen to my inaugural address regarding the Chair Planetary Health below:

Human Health, Planetary Health

Planetary Health leaders unite to build transformational change

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‘We must act now!’ Organizations from across Europe come together to address the Planetary Health crisis being precipitated by the Earth crisis

AMSTERDAM – A new network of over 72 organizations from 12 countries was activated during a convening at ARTIS on September 26-27. Representatives are aligned around the transdisciplinary field and social movement of Planetary Health, which analyzes and addresses the impacts of human disruptions to natural systems on human health and all life on Earth. The Planetary Health European Hub consists of organizations from sectors including universities, healthcare, youth, business, civil society, and more. 

Co-organized by the Planetary Health Alliance (PHA) and the European Environment and Sustainable Development Advisory Councils Network (EEAC), the new hub was conceived to focus on the policy, funding, and organizational landscapes that make Europe rich in opportunities for building transformational change. 

“From the European Green Deal, the Health Environment Research Agenda for Europe, to the upcoming Horizon Health 2023 Agenda, now is the time to connect the dots, build collaborations, make links within the policy community, and fund Planetary Health priorities at scale,” said Sam Myers, Director of the Planetary Health Alliance and Principle Research Scientist at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Members of the European Hub, including Maastricht University, came together in person and online and agreed on the Hub’s principles, developed working groups to tend to plans in research, education, policy, and movement building, shared lessons learned, built relationships, and set the framework for sustaining the Hub into the future.

For more information about the Planetary Health European Hub or to get involved, visit https://www.planetaryhealthalliance.org/pha-regional-hubs or follow the Planetary Health Alliance on social media.