Health
Submitted by Guest on Wed, 06/01/2005 - 13:01
U.J. Blumenthal, D.D. Mara, A. Peasey, G. Ruiz-Palacios and R. StottIn: UA Magazine 3 - Health aspects of urban agriculture
In many areas of the world, urban agriculture depends on water supplies for irrigation. Water is often extracted from rivers, and these may be contaminated with wastewater, discharged into the river with little or no prior treatment. In some areas, untreated wastewater is used for irrigation directly. Use of both can increase the risk of gastro-intestinal diseases for farm workers and their families, and for the consumers of the crops. Policy makers and farmers need to know what quality of water they can use, and what forms of wastewater treatment (or other health protection measures) can be employed. As the water available for irrigation often does not meet national standards or international guidelines for wastewater reuse, this poses a challenge to the safe development of urban agriculture.
Submitted by Guest on Wed, 06/01/2005 - 12:58
Christine FuredyIn: UA Magazine 3 - Health aspects of urban agriculture
Whereas health concerns received little attention at the beginning of the thrust to promote urban and periurban agriculture in the past five years, progress has been made in articulating the health issues in developing countries. This paper comments further on one aspect related to the issue of health and urban agriculture: the risks of urban organic solid waste re-use. The focus is the relation of health risk management to informal or community-based practices, which are seen as a major challenge for agriculture in the city. Because the capacity of governments to intervene is currently limited, gradual progress in self-regulation or self-limitation of risks is necessary. International projects and experts can assist in developing appropriate standards, research and practical measures.
Submitted by Guest on Wed, 06/01/2005 - 12:54
Peter EdwardsIn: UA Magazine 3 - Health aspects of urban agriculture
Farming fish in ponds fertilised with urban wastewater or sewage is not widespread although it does benefit millions of people, particularly in China, India and Vietnam. It provides food and employment, particularly for the poor, and more general environmental benefits such as low-cost wastewater treatment, stormwater drainage and provision of green areas or "lungs" which improve the health and well-being of urban residents.
Submitted by Guest on Wed, 06/01/2005 - 12:51
Pia MuchaalIn: UA Magazine 3 - Health aspects of urban agriculture
Zoonoses are infections naturally transmitted between vertebrate animals and humans, either directly or indirectly through the consumption of contaminated foods. Traditional zoonotic diseases for which effective control measures and cures are available in affluent countries, are still a cause of morbidity and mortality in humans and animals in developing countries (Wastling et al. 1999, Cosivi et al. 1995). Increasing urbanisation, the growth of livestock production in close proximity to humans, the rising rate of HIV, inadequate hygienic practices, and cultural customs and beliefs exacerbate the transmission, persistence and impact of zoonotic diseases in these regions.
Submitted by Guest on Wed, 06/01/2005 - 12:47
J.R. Burleigh & L.L. BlackIn: UA Magazine 3 - Health aspects of urban agriculture
Manila typifies the best and the worst of Asian cities. Affluent residential areas with functional sewerage and regular waste collection border squalid areas of cardboard shacks with no amenities. High-rise office and apartment buildings in the municipality of Makati stand in contrast to the squatter areas in Taguig, Muntinlupa, and Mandaluyong.The collapse of the Payatas garbage dump in August 2000 and the deaths of at least 220 squatters who lived at the dump site to scavenge discarded refuse are symptomatic of urban blight and poverty which threaten civility, governance and life itself.
Submitted by Guest on Wed, 06/01/2005 - 12:42
Andrea GaynorIn: UA Magazine 3 - Health aspects of urban agriculture
The safety of food produced in urban agriculture depends on a number of factors, including the history of persistent toxic chemicals applied to an area. Using the application of organochlorine pesticides in Perth, Western Australia as a case study, this article examines the problems that can arise when urban agriculture is scattered throughout a metropolitan area, and carried out by people who often have little detailed knowledge of how land in the area has historically been treated, and therefore what kinds of soil contamination might be present. The article concludes with recommendations for health and local government workers, which could help to ensure that households are aware of the potential health risks associated with food production in urban areas, and are able to act to minimise those risks.
Submitted by Guest on Thu, 05/26/2005 - 14:14
Designing a Research Agenda on Malaria and AgricultureIn: UA Magazine 3 - Health aspects of urban agriculture
During the last several decades, a considerable investment of financial resources has been directed towards the development of curative drugs and vaccines against malaria, and to the evaluation of chemical insecticides for mosquito control. Historically, the agricultural dimension has received little attention from the research community, despite its importance as a contributory factor to malaria transmission risks and its inherent opportunities for paradoxically minimising such risks. The incorporation of a relevant health component in agricultural research could contribute to the identification of opportunities for minimising malaria risks through agriculturally-based interventions, both in rural and in urban and periurban settings. The CGIAR system-wide initiative on malaria and agriculture (SIMA) co-ordinated by IWMI (see Networking Section in this issue) has taken up this challenge.
Submitted by Guest on Thu, 05/26/2005 - 13:55
Robert M. Pederson & Aileen RobertsonIn: UA Magazine 3 - Health aspects of urban agriculture
Food production and its retail sales are increasingly perceived to be presenting risks to society in Europe. Consumers are concerned, and have lost trust and confidence in their food supply. Policies are therefore needed to limit the risks and to promote the assets of different means of food production and distribution, as well as to restore consumer confidence.
Submitted by Guest on Thu, 05/26/2005 - 13:53
Karen Lock & Henk de ZeeuwIn: UA Magazine 3 - Health aspects of urban agriculture
This article focuses on the discussion from the UPA, Health and Environment session of the E-conference. The effects of UPA on the environment were also discussed but will not be included here.
Submitted by Guest on Thu, 05/26/2005 - 13:50
Karen Lock & René van VeenhuizenIn: UA Magazine 3 - Health aspects of urban agriculture
Urban agriculture can have both negative and positive effects on the health and environmental conditions of the urban population. Previous reviews or studies of health issues have tended to highlight the health risks of urban and periurban agriculture (e.g. Birley and Lock 1999). This has served to reinforce the perceptions of many governments and municipal authorities that urban agriculture is a (marginal) activity that has substantial health risks and should not be supported.
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