ABSTRACT

‘Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity’, according to the World Health Organization (WHO, 1948). This holistic interpretation of human health is particularly important to be aware of in a world where our health and wellbeing is to an increasing extent determined by environmental, social, and contextual factors. The last century’s focus on bio-pathological aspects of health has indeed contributed to substantial progress in medical science and significant improvements in treatment of many infectious diseases. On the other hand, both human beings and the environment are now paying a price for this development. The environment has become polluted by pharmaceuticals, causing imbalance and disruption in several ecosystems, and by overuse of antibiotics we are today facing an escalating challenge of antimicrobial resistance. As we depend on healthy ecosystems for our survival and wellbeing this environmental degradation threatens our own health.