Introduction

Project Goal
To improve the health and nutrition of rural communities through the development of a participatory ecosystem approach to human health assessment that provides greater insight into the causal linkages between health, biodiversity and natural resource use. 

Objectives

  1. To determine the causal linkages between the multiple resource use systems (often a diverse combination of farming, forestry, fishing, hunting and gathering) of Ucayali and human health.
  2. To develop, through participatory action research, measures and indicators of both individual and community health that will enable farmers and communities to determine the key factors affecting their nutritional and health status.
  3. To design and implement Community Action Plans that alleviate the identified health issues within an ecosystem framework.

Research Questions

  • What are the appropriate measures and indicators of human health of colonist and native farmers of Ucayali?
  • What is the current state of health of the individuals and communities of the Ucayali region?
  • What are the key environmental and social determinants of nutritional and health status?
  • What are the health goals of the communities of Ucayali?
  • What are the appropriate ecosystem approaches to natural resource management that will improve and diversify dietary quality, increase food security and alleviate human health problems?
  • What health and educational programs and action plans can be developed by the communities, in coordination with researchers and the Ministry of Health, to address nutrition and health issues?

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    PHOTO: Fishing on the River Ucayali.