OHH

UMass School of Marine Sciences > Ocean and Human Health

Integrating Disciplines to Improve Health 

In most areas of the world, ocean and coastal areas continue to experience extensive environmental stresses.  The consequential risks imposed by those stresses affect not only the health of marine systems but human health as well.  Human exposure to these risks derives from a variety of vectors including the consumption of contaminated seafood and direct contact from recreational bathing in affected coastal waters.  Several recent international conferences have focused on the threats from persistent organic pollutants such as DDT and PCBs; metals (such as methyl mercury and cadmium); algal toxins; cholera and other pathogens, pharmaceuticals introduced by aquaculture operations, and possibly, genetically modified organisms.

Recent estimates place the number of annual marine originated disease cases in the range of tens of millions worldwide.  The challenge has been that, for the most part, research and management of these issues has been characterized by a sector-driven approach lacking interdisciplinary effort and comprehensive understanding. Effective mitigation of these risks requires the integration of broad range of disciplinary efforts including: marine biology and chemistry, fisheries science and management, integrated coastal management, public health, epidemiology, aquatic toxicology, and science and human nutrition.