Public health for a sustainable future: the need for an engaged ecosocial approach

ABSTRACT The way in which we have structured our societies has made possible major advances in population health. However, this model, based on intensive exploitation of natural resources, is now the source of the greatest threats to human health. Today's environmental issues call for bringing to public health an ecological approach whose actions address not only population health, but also ecological, social, and economic changes - i.e., an ecosocial approach to health. Here we examine the implications, for public health action, of adopting such an approach.