Advancing integrated governance for health through national biodiversity strategies and action plans

• Published in: The Lancet (British edition) Vol. 402; no. 10404; pp. 753 - 756
• Main Authors: Willetts, Liz, Siege, Carly, Stewart-Ibarra, Anna M, Horn, Ojistoh, Chotthong, Benjamas, Tanawat, Tanirat, Omido, Phyllis, Sharma, Manushi, Alqodmani, Lujain, Bennett, Nathan J, Golden, Christopher D, Wangari Githaiga, Cicilia, Vora, Neil M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 02.09.2023; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Biodiversity; Children; Climate change; Disease control; Ecosystems; Indigenous peoples; Mental health
• ISSN: 0140-6736; 1474-547X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01431-9

According to the CBD's 2018 review of 159 NBSAPs completed during 2010–18, less than half of countries had a general coordination structure for mainstreaming biodiversity.7 Of those, only seven NBSAPs described formal engagement with the health sector in an established committee, ten engaged the health sector through a consultative process, and two identified a role for the health sector in implementation.7 Health mandates should also prioritise biodiversity. [...]national governments should align NBSAPs and national health plans for mental health, nutrition, non-communicable and communicable disease control, and childhood development. [...]NBSAPs should also recognise and align with the Indigenous determinants of health13, which are based on interconnection with nature, and the World Health Assembly resolution in 2023 on the Health of Indigenous Peoples.14 An interministerial committee that engages and learns from Indigenous communities and traditional knowledge holders so that their relational approach to nature and health can be followed would be a valuable start.