Planetary health: from concept to decisive action

This open-access commentary examines how planetary health can move beyond a conceptual framework towards practical action to protect human wellbeing and the Earth's natural systems. The authors explore the interconnected relationships between environmental change, ecosystem disruption and human health, highlighting the need for coordinated responses across scientific disciplines, sectors and geographical boundaries.

The article emphasises the importance of integrated monitoring systems that combine environmental and health indicators to identify emerging risks, evaluate interventions and inform policy decisions. It considers how existing initiatives, including the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the Lancet Countdown, can support this approach.

The authors advocate stronger evidence on the effectiveness, costs and equity implications of interventions, alongside improved governance, public engagement and collaboration between researchers and decision-makers. The commentary highlights opportunities to translate planetary health knowledge into policies and actions that protect both people and the environment.

Access requirements: Free, open access. No registration, login or payment required to read the full article online.

Citation: Pongsiri MJ, Bickersteth S, Colón C, DeFries R, Dhaliwal M, Georgeson L, et al. Planetary health: from concept to decisive action. The Lancet Planetary Health. 2019;3(10)–e404. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(19)30190-1