Launch of the International Association for Ecology and Health at Its First Biennial Conference: Message from the President Elect

Nonsustainable depletion of our natural resources threatens ecosystems, wildlife populations, and ultimately human/societal health and well-being. Our understanding of these linkages rapidly is becoming clear, as documented in international assessments such as the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). There is a subsequent need to establish a nexus for the cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary efforts examining these ecology/health relationships. I am pleased to formally announce the establishment of a revitalized and expanded international association to do just that! The International Association for Ecology and Health was launched at the EcoHealth ONE Conference that took place October 6–9, 2006, in Madison, Wisconsin. Nearly 400 attendees, including over 250 presenters from 30 countries around the world, and from several scientific disciplines, participated in the event. Most importantly, the Conference attracted over 30 new student members, and there is a vibrant student organization within the Association. This new Association incorporates ongoing work from organizations such as the expanding Consortium for Conservation Medicine, governmental agencies such as the Canadian International Development Research Centre (IDRC), and past efforts of organizations such as the Society for Ecosystem Health, just as a few examples of spheres of science and policy coming together under this expanded and well-networked international organization. The new Association builds on and combines member scientists, academics, and practitioners. The International Association for Ecology and Health (‘‘EcoHealth,’’ serving as the official simple ‘‘acronym’’) Figure 1. International Association for Ecology and Health President Elect, Jonathan Patz, MD, MPH.