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S  O C I A L W  E L L-  B E I N G & G  O V E R N A N C E I  N D I C A T O R S

H  U M A N H  E A LT H

Conservation Objective

Improve water quality in coastal waters and reduce the risk of human illnesses by reducing direct input

of sewage, pesticides and other contaminants; enforcing water quality standards; and increasing public

awareness.

Threats

Human health is compromised by poor environmental conditions such as improper sanitation (e.g.,

sewage contamination), contaminated drinking water (e.g., excessive coliform bacteria, nitrates, or heavy

metals) and exposure to pesticides and other contaminants through poor agricultural practices.

Management Actions

· Increase public awareness about proper sanitation, health concerns and linkages between poor

water quality and human illness. Publicize methods for decreasing risk of waterborne disease

(e.g., filtering or boiling water).

· Identify areas of direct sewage contamination and develop ways to reduce or eliminate

direct contamination of coastal waters (e.g., through adequate collection and treatment of

wastewater).

· Work with hotels and housing developments to ensure proper sanitation and waste control.

· Coordinate with health officials to track waterborne diseases, illnesses related to seafood

consumption (e.g., ciguatera), and other illnesses associated with degraded ecosystems.

· Implement water quality testing and health safety reporting at public beaches.

· Implement, track and enforce water quality standards in coastal waters, rivers and

groundwaters.

· Coordinate with watershed managers to track toxic pesticides and harmonize regulations on

pesticides throughout the region.

· Work with agro-industries to develop better management practices which minimize the use of

the most toxic pesticides.

Tracking indicators of human health can improve our

The relationship between the health of coastal

understanding of the linkages between human and

ecosystems and humans has not received much

ecological health. Human health indicators are used

attention within the MAR, although the same

to identify adverse public health events associated

environmental conditions responsible for waterborne

with environmental exposures and provide an

illnesses, namely poor sanitation and human

opportunity to incorporate information into public

sewage contamination, also have led to ecosystem

health interventions and environmental regulations.

degradation. Likewise, chemical contaminants found

A variety of health indicators (e.g., hazard, risk, or

in reef organisms as a result of agricultural and

exposure indicators) can be used, but few data are

industrial activities have also been found in humans.

available in the MAR region and few have been linked

directly with marine environments.

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