Scientists are now acknowledging the direct connection between the loss of biodiversity and impacts on human health. Despite this growing recognition, the loss of biodiversity is not getting the same attention that climate change is among health care professionals.
This might be due to the dramatic effects that wildfires, floods and extreme heat have on communities as compared to the more subtle, less visible impacts of biodiversity loss, making the connection harder to see.
Physician Neil Vora and wildlife veterinarian Chris Walzer argue that the health care sector must treat biodiversity loss as a core public health issue because nature underpins the quality of our food, water, air quality, infectious disease control, mental health, and climate resilience. They note that major health policies largely overlook the crucial role of biodiversity, and urge integrating the protection and restoration of biodiversity into climate-health policy, clinical practice, community health programs, education curricula, and funding to avoid irreversible harm for current and future generations.
Posted: November 2, 2025