The connection between environment and health has been well studied and documented, particularly by the World Health Organization. It is now being included in some legal instruments, although for the most part caselaw does not explicitly make that connection. Neither the right to life nor the rights to health or to normal development are actually cited in the resolution of cases and in judges' decisions.

This volume makes the connection explicit in a broad review of human rights and legal issues associated with public health and the environment. It will be particularly useful as many legal instruments emphasize the right to 'development' without fully discussing the necessary safety and public health aspects, and the respect for the ecology of any area where such 'development' (often unwanted by local or indigenous communities) is to be located. Climate change is another pressing variable that is considered, and several chapters address the interface between human health and ecological conditions. Overall the book integrates perspectives from a wide range of disciplines, including ethics, ecology, public health and epidemiology, and human rights and law.

Contents

Foreword Roger Brownsword. Prologue - Ecological Integrity, Human Health and the Czech Democratic Tradition: From Jan Hus to Josef Vavrousek J. Ronald Engel. Introduction Laura Westra, Colin L. Soskolne and Donald Spady. Part 1: Health and the Environment. Summary Introduction. 1. Life, Health and the Environment: the Denied Connection Laura Westra. 2. Keeping Nature Alive: Ethical Principles on the Environment and Human Health in State Statutes Katy Kintzele. 3. Human Rights, Environmental Duties: An Ecological Interpretation of International Law Megan Mitchell. 4. The Common Heritage Principle and Public Health: Honouring our Legacy Prue Taylor. 5. Aldo Leopold’s Concept of Land Health: Implications for Sound Public Health Policy Paul Carrick. Part 2: Ecosystem Services and Stansibility for Public Health. Summary Introduction. 6. Valuation Ecosystem Services as an Instrument for Implementation of the European Landscape Convention Joseph Sejak, Pavel Cudlin and Jan Pokorný. 7. Less Energy, Better Health? Jack Manno. 8. Canada’s "Rogue Nation" Position on Asbestos Colin L. Soskolne and Kathleen Ruff. 9. Public Health and Primary Prevention: Past and Present Opportunities and Barriers Vladimir Bencko and John Quinn. Part 3: Public Health Issues. Summary Introduction. 10. Public Health Care in the Time of Transition: the Need to Revert to Basics. Donald Spady. 11. Migrants’ Access to Healthcare in the Czech Republic: Ethical Challenges Helena Hnilicová and Karolína Dobiášová. 12. Gender, Violation of Human Rights and Mental Health Yuliya Lyamzina. 13. The Efficiency of Cost-Control Policies in Health Care: Does Economic Efficiency Imply Sustainability? Tomas Zeleny. Part 4: Climate Change, Water and Public Healt...