Laura Menatti - Health and environment: understanding the positive role of surroundings. Philosophical and medical problems.

Laura Menatti (KLI, Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research Klosterneuburg, Austria)

The Center for Philosophy of Science invites you to our online Featured Former Fellow lecture presented by:   

Laura Menatti

Tuesday, November 12th @ 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm 

Title: Health and environment: understanding the positive role of surroundings. Philosophical and medical problems.

Abstract:

Contemporary medical research has mainly focused on the adverse effects of environmental risks on human health, as exemplified by studies on endocrine disruptors and climate change-related health impacts. These investigations have initiated philosophical discourse on the complex relationship between human beings and their environment, as evidenced by concepts like the ‘exposome’. However, the beneficial effects of environmental factors on health have received comparatively little attention in philosophical circles, despite being extensively explored in fields such as psychology, architecture, and medical history.

This disparity in philosophical engagement is mainly due to the epistemological foundations of contemporary health sciences. The positive health outcomes associated with environmental factors often transcend the methodological approaches of evidence-based medicine (EBM), which typically prioritize clearly defined, measurable, and reproducible outcomes. Environmental health benefits, by their nature, often involve complex, multifaceted interactions that call for a more inclusive epistemological framework.

A pluralistic perspective on health emphasizes the social and environmental determinants of well-being. This approach aligns with the concept of salutogenesis, which focuses on factors that support human health and wellbeing rather than on pathogenesis. Salutogenesis and its current reframe recognize health as a positive state influenced by a wide range of factors, including social connections, cultural practices, and environmental conditions.

This situation highlights the necessity for a rigorous approach that thoroughly investigates both empirical evidence and theoretical foundations to better understand these beneficial outcomes. Such an approach should consider the salutogenic perspective, examining how individuals and communities utilize resources to maintain and improve health in the face of environmental challenges.

To explore these dimensions effectively, I propose an investigation that integrates diverse epistemological frameworks. This should include traditional clinical research methods alongside insights from public health, preventive medicine, and salutogenic theory. By employing rigorous methodologies, we can deepen our understanding of the positive environmental determinants of health and their implications for medical practice and policy.

By expanding the philosophical discourse on environmental benefits for health, I aim to foster a more comprehensive understanding of health and wellbeing, acknowledging the intricate interplay between individuals and their environments. This exploration has the potential to enhance our approaches to health promotion and disease prevention, emphasizing the creation of health-supportive environments and the strengthening of individuals’ capacity to move towards health on the health-disease continuum.

This talk will be available online only through the following:

Zoom: https://pitt.zoom.us/s/93304149398 and

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrRp47ZMXD7NXO3a9Gyh2sg.