Transforming Life: A Broad View of the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease Concept from an Ecological Justice Perspective

Abstract

The influential scientist Rene J. Dubos (1901–1982) conducted groundbreaking studies concerning early-life environmental exposures (e.g., diet, social interactions, commensal microbiota, housing conditions) and adult disease. However, Dubos looked beyond the scientific focus on disease, arguing that “mere survival is not enough”. He defined mental health as fulfilling human potential, and expressed concerns about urbanization occurring in tandem with disappearing access to natural environments (and elements found within them); thus modernity could interfere with health via “missing exposures”. With the advantage of emerging research involving green space, the microbiome, biodiversity and positive psychology, we discuss ecological justice in the dysbiosphere and the forces—financial inequity, voids in public policy, marketing and otherwise—that interfere with the fundamental rights of children to thrive in a healthy urban ecosystem and learn respect for the natural environment. We emphasize health within the developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) rubric and suggest that greater focus on positive exposures might uncover mechanisms of resiliency that contribute to maximizing human potential. We will entrain our perspective to socioeconomic disadvantage in developed nations and what we have described as “grey space”; this is a mental as much as a physical environment, a space that serves to insidiously reinforce unhealthy behavior, compromise positive psychological outlook and, ultimately, trans-generational health. It is a dwelling place that cannot be fixed with encephalobiotics or the drug-class known as psychobiotics.

Down to Earth: Planetary Health and Biophilosophy in the Symbiocene Epoch

“…This transition from public to planetary health is a professional acknowledgement that public health (the historical vanguard for social justice) cannot be restricted in its reach [149]; achieving the goals of public health is predicated on ecological justice and the stability of fragile planetary ecosystems that sustain all life [3]. The emergence of "Planetary Health" as a collective vision for science, medicine, and all of society is a compass pointing toward the symbiocene.…”

“…For example, empathy is associated with life satisfaction, overall well-being, rich social networks, healthy relationships and workplace performance, accommodative behavior, and prosocial activity [3]. However, as Salk maintained, this needs to be taught by example at a young age; longitudinal research shows that higher levels of early life empathy predict social competencies [131].…”

“…Psychological stress, westernized diet (i.e., with its missing nutrients, added chemicals, and advanced glycation end-products) consumption, circadian disruptions, excess alcohol and tobacco use, phthalate and environmental chemical exposure, and higher antibiotic prescriptions are not randomly distributed. These factors of the exposome press upon the microbiome along SES lines [3,91]. Indeed, mucosal biopsy samples (one of the more accurate ways to sample the intestinal microbiome) demonstrate the reduced diversity of the intestinal microbiome among residents of lower SES neighborhoods in North America.…”

“…Now we can turn toward the visualized environment, one which has been described by our research group as "grey space" [3,91]. This refers to an area with a disproportionate number of bars, liquor stores, convenience stores, fast-food outlets, and tobacco vendors.…”

“…), while largely ignoring how positive or beneficial exposures help to shape the healthy individuals we call "resilient". Interest in the "exposome" (total exposures and their impact on genes over time) has shifted toward these beneficial exposures: natural environments (e.g., green space), beneficial microbes, and psychological assets (e.g., optimism, sense of wonder, openness to experience, and emotional intelligence) [3,75].…”