NATURAL AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES
Traditionally, medical science is based on systems within the
human body. Planetary health broadens health research to include
the external systems
that sustain or threaten human health.
While human health has progressed, the depletion of our natural
systems threatens our ability to maintain these improvements.
Planetary health challenges current barriers between disciplines
and explores the connections between them.
Now, The Lancet is launching a new journal,
Planetary health brings together a wide range of existing
disciplines to ensure a healthy and sustainable future.
INTERSECTING DISCIPLINES
MAKE THE CONNECTION
It is vital that we protect the environment in which we live and
depend, and develop sustainable systems to support
human health. The new Lancet Planetary Health journal, and
planetary health articles published across The Lancet’s
journals, seek to address these big issues:
CO-BENEFITS FOR HUMAN HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Planetary health
1. Myers SS, Wessells KR, Kloog I, Zanobetti A, Schwartz J.
Effect of increased concentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide on
the global threat of zinc deficiency: a modelling study. Lancet
Glob Health 2015; 3: e639–45. http://bit.ly/2nvyI88
2. Chen H, Kwong JC, Copes R, et al. Living near major roads and
the incidence of dementia, Parkinson's disease, and multiple
sclerosis: a population-based cohort study. Lancet 2017; 389:
718–26. http://bit.ly/2od9UyG
3. Berman JD, Ebisu K, Peng RD, Dominici F, Bell ML. Drought and
the risk of hospital admissions and mortality in older adults in
western USA from 2000 to 2013: a retrospective study. Lancet Planet
Health 2017; 1: e17–25. http://bit.ly/2nk7K2S
4. Cepeda M, Schoufour J, Freak-Poli R, et al. Levels of ambient
air pollution according to mode of transport: a systematic review.
Lancet Public Health 2017; 2: e23–34. http://bit.ly/2nkjcvn
5. Smith MR, Singh GM, Mozaffarian D, Myers SS. Effects of
decreases of animal pollinators on human nutrition and global
health: a modelling analysis. Lancet 2015; 386: 1964–72.
http://bit.ly/2nvwKVl
6. Whitmee S, Haines A, Beyrer C, et al. Safeguarding human
health in the Anthropocene epoch: report of The Rockefeller
Foundation-Lancet Commission on planetary health. Lancet 2015; 386:
1973-2028. http://bit.ly/LanPla_anthropocene
the ongoing legacy of human health now, and for generations to
come.
SOURCES
PLANETARY HEALTHA NEW DISCIPLINE
Research from The Lancet’s family of journals makes these
connections:
THE LANCET PLANETARY HEALTHThe Lancet Planetary Health is anopen
access journal committed topublishing high-quality articleson the
health of humancivilisation and the naturalsystems on which it
depends.
To learn more about the discipline of planetary health and to
read the latest research from
our new open access journal, The Lancet Planetary Health, visit
www.thelancet.com/planetary-health
Cardiac medicine
Virology
Respiratory medicine
Psychiatry
Oncology
Nutrition & dietetics
Neurosciences
Infectious diseases
Genetics research
Endocrinology & metabolism
HEALTH SCI
ENCES
Agriculture
Biodiversity conservation
Ecology
Environmental sciences
Meteorology
Oceanography
Soil science
Urban planning
Water resources
Read a study in The Lancet Global Health on how atmospheric CO2
reduces zinc in plants and the humans who eat them.1
A study in The Lancet Planetary Health shows that, while drought
is associated with reduced respiratory hospital admissions in a US
population, cardiac admissions are increased in periods of
worsening drought.3
AIR NUTRITION
LAND USE NEUROLOGY
TRANSPORTRESPIRATORY
MEDICINE
Research in The Lancet links dementia risk to living near major
roads.2
WEATHER EVENTS CARDIOLOGY
Research in The Lancet Public Health shows that even though
cyclists and pedestrians are more at risk of inhaling pollutants,
the positive effects of active commuting outweigh the
negative.4
ZOOLOGY HUMAN HEALTH
Decline in bee populations could significantly increase
deficiencies in vitamin A and folate. Research in The Lancet
highlights the importance of protecting pollinators to protect
human nutrition.5
CLIMATE
WATER
AGRICULTURE
INDUSTRY
LAND
ENERGY
WEATHER
OCEANS
SOIL
ECONOMYMIGRATION
AIR
POLITICS
URBAN ENVIRONMENTS
Which mineral deficiency in humans is related to CO2
emissions?
How might urban planning affect rates of dementia?
Which weather conditions are linked to increases in cardiac
admissions?
How does our daily commute affect our health?
A decline in which animal population is linked to vitamin A
deficiencies in humans?
In 2015, The Lancet published the special report onSafeguarding
human health in the Anthropocene epoch:
report of The Rockefeller Foundation–Lancet Commission on
planetary health.6
PLANETARY HEALTH AND THE LANCET
