Forest loss and human health: focus on EU policies and practices

Forests make a huge contribution to human health. They provide food and medicine, and are an important component of traditional health systems. While it’s widely known that forests play a key role in mitigating climate change, in conserving soil and water quality, awareness of the impact on human health due to forest devastation and the loss of these

ecosystems is less widespread.

 

While the EU recognises the nexus between environment and health, the EU’s ‘environmental perspective’ on health fails to fully address potential health risks from emerging hazards (climate change) and ecosystem disruption.

 

This briefing note outlines the role of forests in maintaining human health. It also underlines basic principles that should be followed in order to ensure EU policies contribute to the improvement of human health.