Pluricausality of health

Abstract

The ecosystem approach promotes health at a time when environmental decline is linked to long-term human well-being. Human dependence on the natural environment is evident; ecological systems provide humans with the goods and services essential to their survival and good health; any change in the environment generates potential threats to human health. The importance of addressing health issues from a broad, holistic, and transdisciplinary perspective is well described and leads the interest for the application of the ecosystem approach to health.  Throughout history, there have been different models or paradigms to approaching health problems. However, the following text explains how this new model is considered the ideal strategy for solving health problems and fostering sustainable development. It will explain the theoretical bases, the principles for its operation, and describe an example of how its application in a Latin American country contributed to the solution of a public health problem. In Nicaragua, it is being implemented through the family and community health model led by the Ministry of Health, with promising results so far.