The Thematic Reference Group on Environment, Agriculture and Infectious Diseases of Poverty (TRG 4) addresses the nature of the intersections and interactions between environment, agriculture and infectious diseases of poverty in order to identify research priorities for improved disease control. This report reviews the connections between environmental change, modern agricultural practices and the occurrence of infectious diseases--especially those of poverty--and proposes a methodology that can be used to prioritize research on such diseases. Although there is some comprehension of the underlying and growing systemic influence of today s large-scale social and environmental changes on some infectious diseases, the significance and potential future impacts of these changes are poorly understood. Nevertheless, such changes now constitute a significant influence on the working of the Earth's systems that will have increasing consequences for patterns of occurrence of infectious diseases. Many of these changes are illustrated in this report. A common theme of this report is bidirectional causation, effectively "trapping" complex, linked eco-social systems in stable states that are resistant to intervention. For example, poverty is associated with ill health, low education and often with poor diets, either because of under-nutrition (and diarrhoea) or intakes that have excessive calories but insufficient micronutrients. In either case, poverty impairs health; and ill health impairs the escape from poverty. Another example is provided by a recent abundant agricultural harvest in India that has far exceeded storage capacity. A substantial fraction of this harvest will be wasted due to inadequate storage. Some grain that is badly stored will be contaminated by aflatoxins and other fungi, which increases the risk of cancer. This report presents the case for a more integrated approach across sectors, research disciplines and diseases, taking greater account of the increasingly widespread and systemic influences on disease emergence and spread.

This report provides a review and analysis of the research landscape for zoonoses and marginalized infections which affect poor populations, and a list of research priorities to support disease control. The work is the output of the disease reference group on zoonoses and marginalized infectious diseases (DRG6), which is part of an independent think tank of international experts, established and funded by the Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), to identify key research priorities through the review of research evidence and input from stakeholder consultations. The report covers a diverse range of diseases including zoonotic helminth protozoa, viral and bacterial infections considered to be neglected and associated with poverty. Disease-specific research issues were elaborated under individual disease sections and many common priorities were readily identified among the disease such as need for new and/or improved drugs and regimens, diagnostics and, where appropriate, vaccines. The disease specific priorities are described as micro priorities compared with the macro level priorities which will drive such policies as the need for improved surveillance; the need for inter-sectoral interaction between health, livestock, agriculture, natural resources and wildlife in tackling the zoonotic diseases; and the need for a true assessment of the burden of the zoonoses. This is one of ten disease and thematic reference group reports that have come out of the TDR Think Tank, all of which have contributed to the development of the Global Report for Research on Infectious Diseases of Poverty.

Based on careful analysis of burden of disease and the costs ofinterventions, this second edition of 'Disease Control Priorities in Developing Countries, 2nd edition' highlights achievable priorities; measures progresstoward providing efficient, equitable care; promotes cost-effectiveinterventions to targeted populations; and encourages integrated effortsto optimize health. Nearly 500 experts - scientists, epidemiologists, health economists,academicians, and public health practitioners - from around the worldcontributed to the data sources and methodologies, and identifiedchallenges and priorities, resulting in this integrated, comprehensivereference volume on the state of health in developing countries.

The Thematic Reference Group on Environment, Agriculture and Infectious Diseases of Poverty (TRG 4) addresses the nature of the intersections and interactions between environment, agriculture and infectious diseases of poverty in order to identify research priorities for improved disease control. This report reviews the connections between environmental change, modern agricultural practices and the occurrence of infectious diseases--especially those of poverty--and proposes a methodology that can be used to prioritize research on such diseases. Although there is some comprehension of the underlying and growing systemic influence of today s large-scale social and environmental changes on some infectious diseases, the significance and potential future impacts of these changes are poorly understood. Nevertheless, such changes now constitute a significant influence on the working of the Earth's systems that will have increasing consequences for patterns of occurrence of infectious diseases. Many of these changes are illustrated in this report. A common theme of this report is bidirectional causation, effectively "trapping" complex, linked eco-social systems in stable states that are resistant to intervention. For example, poverty is associated with ill health, low education and often with poor diets, either because of under-nutrition (and diarrhoea) or intakes that have excessive calories but insufficient micronutrients. In either case, poverty impairs health; and ill health impairs the escape from poverty. Another example is provided by a recent abundant agricultural harvest in India that has far exceeded storage capacity. A substantial fraction of this harvest will be wasted due to inadequate storage. Some grain that is badly stored will be contaminated by aflatoxins and other fungi, which increases the risk of cancer. This report presents the case for a more integrated approach across sectors, research disciplines and diseases, taking greater account of the increasingly widespread and systemic influences on disease emergence and spread.

Global public health is of growing concern to most governments and populations, nowhere more so than in Asia, the world’s largest and most populous continent. Whilst major advances have been made in controlling infectious diseases through public health measures as well as clinical medical treatments, the world now faces other challenges including ageing populations and the epidemic crisis of obesity and non-communicable diseases. New emerging infections continue to develop and the growing threats to health due to environmental pollution and climate change increase the need for resilience and sustainability. These threats to health are global in nature, and this Handbook will explore perspectives on current public health issues in South, Southeast and East Asia, informing global as well as regional debate. Whilst many books cite Western examples of the development of global public health, this Handbook brings together both Western and Eastern scholarship, creating a new global public health perspective suitable to face modern challenges in promoting the population’s health. This Handbook is essential reading not only for students, professionals and scholars of global public health and related fields but is also written to be accessible to those with a general interest in the health of Asia.

Since the dawn of medical science, people have recognized connections between a change in the weather and the appearance of epidemic disease. With today's technology, some hope that it will be possible to build models for predicting the emergence and spread of many infectious diseases based on climate and weather forecasts. However, separating the effects of climate from other effects presents a tremendous scientific challenge. Can we use climate and weather forecasts to predict infectious disease outbreaks? Can the field of public health advance from "surveillance and response" to "prediction and prevention?" And perhaps the most important question of all: Can we predict how global warming will affect the emergence and transmission of infectious disease agents around the world? Under the Weather evaluates our current understanding of the linkages among climate, ecosystems, and infectious disease; it then goes a step further and outlines the research needed to improve our understanding of these linkages. The book also examines the potential for using climate forecasts and ecological observations to help predict infectious disease outbreaks, identifies the necessary components for an epidemic early warning system, and reviews lessons learned from the use of climate forecasts in other realms of human activity.

Rapid structural transformation and urbanization are transforming agriculture and food production in rural areas across the world. This textbook provides a comprehensive review and assessment of the multi-faceted nature of agriculture and rural development, particularly in the developing world, where the greatest challenges occur. It is designed around five thematic parts: Agricultural Intensification and Technical Change; Political Economy of Agricultural Policies; Community and Rural Institutions; Agriculture, Nutrition, and Health; and Future Relevance of International Institutions. Each chapter presents a detailed but accessible review of the literature on the specific topic and discusses the frontiers in research and institutional changes needed as societies adapt to the transformation processes. All authors are eminent scholars with international reputations, who have been actively engaged in the contemporary debates around agricultural development and rural transformation.