JEF in the Media

By: Manfred Dietrich

Abstract: The quality of human resources is central to economic development dictating that public health is one of the most important factors influencing the local and global economy. Not only is working capacity of a population impacted by both acute and chronic diseases, such illnesses may lead to lower income and poverty. Health problems are prevalent in both agricultural and industrial economies worldwide. Regions with good health systems and better hygienic standards have a clear competitive advantage over countries neglecting this basic requirement for economic growth.

Poor health has an enormous impact on an economy and may cause the loss of billions of US dollars in profits annually.

Occupational incapacity may be caused by endemic diseases, by poor hygiene and imperfect sanitation systems, by climatic changes, by unsafe working conditions and by epidemic outbreaks of infection. Global mobilisation may be affected severely by explosively appearing infectious diseases. Malignant diseases will reduce work forces. Unsafe foodstuffs may carry infectious and toxic agents potentially harmful to the importers and may cause financial problems for the exporters and the importers as well. Investors in agriculture and technical industries must consider the financial risks caused by illnesses.

Remedies are on hand by investing in occupational medicine and safe working places, by immunisation, provided that safe and effective vaccines are available, by establishing sufficient systems for safe fresh water, sanitation and waste dumps.

Health has to be analysed and measures planned, whenever agricultural methods are changed.

On the other hand, it should be recognized that investments in biomedical and environmental scientific research can stimulate economies.

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