TY - JOUR

T1 - Human health impacts of dams and reservoirs

T2 - Neglected issues in a One Health perspective

AU - Ramamurthy, Racchana

AU - Bleser, Julia

AU - Konradsen, Flemming

AU - Kibret, Solomon

AU - Opperman, Jeff

AU - You, Liangzhi

AU - Sloff, Kees

AU - McCartney, Matthew

AU - Fèvre, Eric M.

AU - Boelee, Eline

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2023 Taylor and Francis Inc.. All rights reserved.

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - Dams have often been constructed for hydropower, water storage and to support socio-economic development, particularly in areas of water stress. In many places, the water stored in human-made reservoirs is essential to meet the development objectives of water supply, agriculture, industry, energy generation and other sectors. However, in the absence of adequate foresight and planning, many past dams have had considerable negative impacts on ecosystems and the livelihoods of affected communities, resulting in conflicts and health hazards. While enhanced human health and well-being could be considered as the ultimate outcome of development programs, the public health impact of dams remains an issue that is often neglected by policy makers and investors. National policies and international guidelines, such as those of the World Commission on Dams (WCD), have been used to improve planning and impact assessment of dams. Here, we provide an analysis of four large dams, across three continents, and show that they had limited consistency with WCD principles and guidelines. Moreover, health aspects were largely neglected during planning, construction and operation of these dams, but seriously undermine their intended benefits. This perspective paper discusses impacts of dams on energy and food, ecosystem health, inclusion, and ultimately human health and wellbeing. We argue that a One Health perspective, based on these four categories, can support the systematic consideration of environmental, animal, and human health determinants. A dedicated One Health approach to dams and reservoirs remains to be developed but could potentially improve how dams, both existing and future, support more inclusive development.

AB - Dams have often been constructed for hydropower, water storage and to support socio-economic development, particularly in areas of water stress. In many places, the water stored in human-made reservoirs is essential to meet the development objectives of water supply, agriculture, industry, energy generation and other sectors. However, in the absence of adequate foresight and planning, many past dams have had considerable negative impacts on ecosystems and the livelihoods of affected communities, resulting in conflicts and health hazards. While enhanced human health and well-being could be considered as the ultimate outcome of development programs, the public health impact of dams remains an issue that is often neglected by policy makers and investors. National policies and international guidelines, such as those of the World Commission on Dams (WCD), have been used to improve planning and impact assessment of dams. Here, we provide an analysis of four large dams, across three continents, and show that they had limited consistency with WCD principles and guidelines. Moreover, health aspects were largely neglected during planning, construction and operation of these dams, but seriously undermine their intended benefits. This perspective paper discusses impacts of dams on energy and food, ecosystem health, inclusion, and ultimately human health and wellbeing. We argue that a One Health perspective, based on these four categories, can support the systematic consideration of environmental, animal, and human health determinants. A dedicated One Health approach to dams and reservoirs remains to be developed but could potentially improve how dams, both existing and future, support more inclusive development.

KW - disease

KW - environment

KW - hydropower

KW - inclusion

KW - irrigation

U2 - 10.14321/aehm.026.02.096

DO - 10.14321/aehm.026.02.096

M3 - Journal article

AN - SCOPUS:85172407947

VL - 26

SP - 96

EP - 112

JO - Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management

JF - Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management

SN - 1463-4988

IS - 2

ER -