Environmental health has been established in Mexico as a discipline since the early nineties resuming the sanitarian tradition developed over the past century and incorporating new knowledge generated by environmental toxicology and epidemiology. During the last decade there has been some progress in reviewing and updating the regulations, designing programs and policies to reduce exposure to pollutants and consolidating research groups and teaching in the area. However, the most prevalent problems previously diagnosed still remain and new risks have emerged due to environmental degradation (air pollution, toxics exposure and climate change among others) have been incorporated. If this trend persists, the environmental risks will continue to increase and multiply. The environmental health governance in Mexico has to be redesigned involving a transectoral approach. Future proposals might include: establishment of a National Environmental Health Program, update the situational diagnosis at national and regional level, strengthening teaching and graduate programs in environmental health as well as increase support for research in the area and development of an integrated environmental health surveillance system.

La salud ambiental se establece en México como disciplina a principios de los noventa retomando la tradición sanitarista del siglo pasado e incorporando nuevo conocimiento generado por la epidemiología y la toxicología ambiental. Durante la última década se han presentado avances en la revisión y actualización de la normatividad, se han diseñado programas y políticas para reducir la exposición a contaminantes y se han consolidado grupos de investigación y docencia en el área. Sin embargo, la mayoría de los problemas previamente diagnosticados prevalecen y se han incorporados nuevos riesgos a la salud producto del deterioro ambiental (contaminación atmosférica, exposición a tóxicos, cambio climático). Resulta necesario replantear el modelo de gobernanza en salud ambiental en México desde una perspectiva transectorial. Se propone crear un Programa Nacional de Salud Ambiental, actualizar el diagnóstico en el ámbito nacional y regional, fortalecer la enseñanza e investigación así como desarrollar un sistema integrado de vigilancia en salud ambiental.

Environmental health has been established in Mexico as a discipline since the early nineties resuming the sanitarian tradition developed over the past century and incorporating new knowledge generated by environmental toxicology and epidemiology. During the last decade there has been some progress in reviewing and updating the regulations, designing programs and policies to reduce exposure to pollutants and consolidating research groups and teaching in the area. However, the most prevalent problems previously diagnosed still remain and new risks have emerged due to environmental degradation (air pollution, toxics exposure and climate change among others) have been incorporated. If this trend persists, the environmental risks will continue to increase and multiply. The environmental health governance in Mexico has to be redesigned involving a transectoral approach. Future proposals might include: establishment of a National Environmental Health Program, update the situational diagnosis at national and regional level, strengthening teaching and graduate programs in environmental health as well as increase support for research in the area and development of an integrated environmental health surveillance system.

La salud ambiental se establece en México como disciplina a principios de los noventa retomando la tradición sanitarista del siglo pasado e incorporando nuevo conocimiento generado por la epidemiología y la toxicología ambiental. Durante la última década se han presentado avances en la revisión y actualización de la normatividad, se han diseñado programas y políticas para reducir la exposición a contaminantes y se han consolidado grupos de investigación y docencia en el área. Sin embargo, la mayoría de los problemas previamente diagnosticados prevalecen y se han incorporados nuevos riesgos a la salud producto del deterioro ambiental (contaminación atmosférica, exposición a tóxicos, cambio climático). Resulta necesario replantear el modelo de gobernanza en salud ambiental en México desde una perspectiva transectorial. Se propone crear un Programa Nacional de Salud Ambiental, actualizar el diagnóstico en el ámbito nacional y regional, fortalecer la enseñanza e investigación así como desarrollar un sistema integrado de vigilancia en salud ambiental.

É inegável que a discussão sobre saúde, meio ambiente e desenvolvimento sustentável tem progredido muito em décadas recentes. Contudo, ganhos globais não têm sido distribuídos de maneira uniforme, deixando grandes grupos populacionais excluídos, com conseqüências negativas à saúde. Também estamos começando a reconhecer problemas globais emergentes que causam impactos locais significativos, principalmente em populações pobres, tanto em áreas rurais como urbanas. A saúde ambiental está numa encruzilhada, em que novos modelos e parcerias são necessários. Este artigo explora essas questões especificamente em relação aos países latino-americanos e caribenhos.

There has been undeniable progress in addressing health, environment and sustainable development in recent decades. Yet, global gains have not been distributed equally, leaving major populations groups excluded, with negative consequences to health. We are also beginning to recognize emerging global problems with significant local impacts, mostly in impoverished populations, both in rural and urban settings. Environmental health is at the crossroads, where new models and partnerships are required. This paper explores these issues with specific reference to the Latin American and Caribbean countries.

É inegável que a discussão sobre saúde, meio ambiente e desenvolvimento sustentável tem progredido muito em décadas recentes. Contudo, ganhos globais não têm sido distribuídos de maneira uniforme, deixando grandes grupos populacionais excluídos, com conseqüências negativas à saúde. Também estamos começando a reconhecer problemas globais emergentes que causam impactos locais significativos, principalmente em populações pobres, tanto em áreas rurais como urbanas. A saúde ambiental está numa encruzilhada, em que novos modelos e parcerias são necessários. Este artigo explora essas questões especificamente em relação aos países latino-americanos e caribenhos.

There has been undeniable progress in addressing health, environment and sustainable development in recent decades. Yet, global gains have not been distributed equally, leaving major populations groups excluded, with negative consequences to health. We are also beginning to recognize emerging global problems with significant local impacts, mostly in impoverished populations, both in rural and urban settings. Environmental health is at the crossroads, where new models and partnerships are required. This paper explores these issues with specific reference to the Latin American and Caribbean countries.