Reflection on health-environment research in the light of emerging infectious diseases: modelling water quality and health

“In the past years, we have published three health-environment research papers on modelling microbial water quality and health risk in COSUST [1, 2, 3]. These papers proposed the use of a systems approach for waterborne diseases. This approach employs models to study the microbial water quality and related health risk. It also uses these models with scenarios to evaluate the influence of socioeconomic development and climate change on the water quality and health risk and to evaluate the value of interventions. Such a systems approach is important, because waterborne diseases still have a large global burden of disease [4] and the approach helps understanding the problem and can advocate effective interventions [5, 6, 7, 8]. Recently, the COVID-19 pandemic has emerged. The outbreak has immediately highlighted the importance of the relation between human health and the environment, as the SARS-CoV-2 virus likely originated from wild animals [9]. Water has thus far not been found to play a major role in the spread of the virus [10]. COVID-19 is an emerging infectious disease (EID). The number of EID events has increased over time [11], which implies that we will see more pandemics in the future. Preparedness for EIDs, that could in the future also be waterborne diseases, is essential [12]. EID preparedness, or the state of being ready for EID outbreaks, involves activities to enhance prevention and control of high-impact EID events [13]. The systems approach proposed in the earlier COSUST papers is valuable in the light of this preparedness. The objective of this commentary is to reflect on the use of a systems approach in health-environment research in the light of EIDs. In this paper, we will reflect on the usefulness of waterborne pathogen modelling for COVID-19 and for EID preparedness studies. We will also highlight several other emerging opportunities for health-environment research concerning EIDs.”

(Citation: Hofstra, N., Medema, G.J., Vermeulen, L.C. – Reflection on health-environment research in the light of emerging infectious diseases: modelling water quality and health – Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability 46(2020)October, p.8-10 – DOI: 10.1016/j.cosust.2020.09.002)

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