Global change, wastewater and health in fast growing economies

It is well known that water and sanitation are important to address major water-related diseases. Less known is the impact of continuous exposure to poor water quality on human health in fast growing economies comprising about half of the world's population. Crucial questions persist — Does the economic success of emerging countries translate into improved water management and better human health, or pose additional risks? How does population growth, development of agriculture, industrialisation and urbanisation affect human health in poverty-stricken and undernourished regions? Though science has contributed significantly in addressing the threat from water-related diseases, solutions to these complex problems are still sought in a simple, one-dimensional ‘cause-effect remedy’ context. This paper calls for scientific and policy initiatives to move beyond this stage to understand the complex links between water and health. In addition, it urges the international community to establish a scientific monitoring and research platform to spearhead the efforts and spread information on improving water quality and human health.

► We caution that global change could constrain our ability to reach the Millennium Development Goals with further ramifications on water, ecosystem and human health. ► We argue that contemporary attempts are merely following a simple one-dimensional ‘cause-effect remedy’ without considering the complex link between water quality and human health. ► We urge the scientific community to develop and promote methods and tools for understanding the complex link between water and health. ► We urges the international community to establish scientific monitoring and research platforms to spearhead the efforts to improve water quality and human health.