Healthy Rural Living

The rapid global transition towards increasingly intensive and high-input agriculture and livestock farming has led to deterioration of ecosystems and raised questions about potential impacts on human health.

Potential health effects from inhalation or ingestion of air, drinking water, or food contaminated by farm emissions are diverse and include zoonotic infections or infections with antimicrobial resistant bacteria. But it may also enhance the risk of non-communicable disorders due to air pollution or pesticide exposure.

In addition to adverse health effects, studies have also shown protective effects of farming environments on the development of allergies. An important question for future sustainable agriculture is how to stimulate new forms of (livestock) farming with reduced emissions, while taking into account farm animal health and welfare.

 

Research Projects