title: Biological diversity and public health.
abstract: In the wake of a species extinction event unprecedented in human history, how the variety, distribution, and abundance of life on earth may influence health has gained credence as a worthy subject for research and study at schools of public health and for consideration among policy makers. This article reviews a few of the principal ways in which health depends on biodiversity, including the discovery of new medicines, biomedical research, the provision of food, and the distribution and spread of infections. It also examines how changes in biological diversity underlie much of the global burden of disease and how a more thorough understanding of life on earth and its relationships has the potential to greatly alleviate and prevent human suffering.
authors.affiliation: Center for Health and the Global Environment, School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.
authors.forename: Aaron S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Bernstein
mesh_terms: D044822:Biodiversity; D035843:Biomedical Research; D057231:Climate Change; D003141:Communicable Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology; D055808:Drug Discovery; D005523:Food Supply; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D064307:Microbiota; D011634:Public Health