Working toward sustainable public health through the interrelation between ambiental and social factors: SESPAS report 2010

Some of the main challenges that the health of century XXI is confronting are 1) the detection and reduction of social injustices; 2) the prevention of the disease by promoting healthy lifestyles and optimizing public resources and technology; 3) the interdisciplinary approaches between different communities of knowledge and practices; and 4) the integration and coordination of sectorial policies in order to increase their effectiveness. This article analyses, firstly from a theoretical perspective, how sustainability models could contribute to address health taking this holistic approach; emphasizing the relation between social and environmental factors. Then, we explore some experiences that are being implemented in several European countries as for example, interdepartmental bodies of government, interdisciplinary research groups, and alliances between health and forest services and the civil society. We hope these innovations will inspire also to scientists, professionals, politicians and citizens in Spain, where the existing experiences fail to integrate all the areas of intervention for promoting healthy people and healthy environments. (C) 2010 SESPAS. Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L. All rights reserved.