Title: Health protection and promotion for sustainable development: an insight on the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Authors: Mey Jurdi

Addresses: Environmental Health Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, P.O. Box 11-0236, Beirut, Lebanon

Abstract: In a world that is expanding rapidly and incessantly to devour raw materials, space and energy, protecting and promoting health for sustainable development is a salient challenge, especially in countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region. This paper focuses on the interactive processes of sustainable development by protecting and promoting health, managing environmental factors affecting health, enhancing socio-economic development and handling environmental challenges. This is further enhanced through a brief overview of the concept of sustainable development within the framework of environment and health. Proposed policy approaches and implementation strategies for sustainable development are presented for consideration by developing countries within the context of the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Sustainable development is a key issue that should be addressed in a comprehensive manner based on achievements, hindering factors and projected expectations 10 years after the Rio Conference on Environment and Development.

Keywords: Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR); environmental health hazards; health promotion; health protection; sustainable development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSD.2003.004369

International Journal of Sustainable Development, 2003 Vol.6 No.4, pp.478 - 491

Published online: 10 May 2004 *

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