Applying the Mandala of Health in the Anthropocene

Abstract

Issue addressed:The Anthropocene is a new era in which human activity has been the dominant influence on climate and the environment. The negative impact humans have on the earth's systems pose significant threats to human health. Health promotion is a discipline well placed to respond to planetary health challenges of the Anthropocene. The overarching aim of this paper is to describe the elements of 21st century socio-ecological health and apply them in a revised socio-ecological framework for health promotion.Methods: A qualitative description study design was employed to explore the significance of ecological and cultural determinants of health and review models in contemporary health promotion to inform the development of a revised Mandala of Health.Purposeful sampling was used to recruit ten experts from across Australia including academics and practitioners working at the nexus of health promotion, environmental management and sustainability. Data were analysed thematically, using deductive and inductive methods. Results:A revised Mandala of Health could address existing gaps in health promotion theory and practice. Ecological and cultural determinants of health were considered essential components of health promotion that is often lacking in socio-ecological frameworks. Indigenous Knowledge Systems were considered immensely important when addressing ecological and cultural determinants of health. Conclusions: A revised Mandala of Health could encourage development of contemporary health models, assisting health promotion to evolve with the health and environmental issues of the Anthropocene. This study highlights the need for more theoretical development and empirical research regarding ecological and cultural determinants of health in a health promotion context. So what?: In the context of the Anthropocene, this study highlights the potential gaps in health promotion theory and practice in terms of the natural environment and health and emphasises the need of a paradigm shift to embed ecological and cultural determinants with other determinants of health.

Considering ecological determinants of youth mental health in the era of COVID‐19 and the Anthropocene: A call to action from young public health professionals

“…Among the most important of these are oxygen, water, food, and a reasonably stable and habitable climate 3 . Despite the inclusion of EDoH in seminal frameworks, health promotion has been described as ‘ecologically blind’, meaning the SDoH are often emphasised at the expense of EDoH 4,5 . Social and ecological determinants of health interact with each other and ultimately influence the health of populations 5 .…”

“…Anthropocentric perspectives of western ideologies, which view humanity at the centre of all things, can ultimately hinder health promotion's ability to focus on EDoH and enact the actions outlined above 4 . For the Australian health promotion community to successfully address EDoH of youth mental health, cultural determinants of health, especially Indigenous knowledge systems, must be considered.…”

“…Despite being highly valuable for developing effective and adaptive responses to climate‐health issues, Indigenous values and knowledges are often overlooked in mainstream discussion and decision‐making in Australia 24,25 . A shift is required to embed Indigenous knowledges into mental health promotion to ensure approaches aimed at addressing EDoH are not solely underpinned by a western paradigm 4,25 . It is at this intersection of paradigms of culture and knowledge, where an equilibrium of human and environmental health, equity and social justice, may be achieved.…”

“…3 Despite the inclusion of EDoH in seminal frameworks, health promotion has been described as ‘ecologically blind’, meaning the SDoH are often emphasised at the expense of EDoH. 4 , 5 Social and ecological determinants of health interact with each other and ultimately influence the health of populations. 5 As such, a socio‐ecological approach that considers both upstream social and ecological factors is required in health promotion.…”

“…The transition towards EDoH being at the forefront of health promotion practice cannot be achieved without intersectoral collaboration. Effective policy making in the climate‐health space is often hindered by the siloed nature of government departments, research institutes, and short‐term funding, 4 which can perpetuate a lack of knowledge and understanding about climate‐health issues young people experience. Utilising a systems‐thinking approach 16 when addressing wicked problems, such as climate change and youth mental health, can encourage intersectoral collaboration beyond just the health sector.…”