Innovative Development of Medical Geology: A One Health Perspective

The One Health concept is a new holistic approach of health research and management by integrating interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral resources and provides new perspectives for innovative development of medical geology. In an era of unprecedented importance for human society to prevent and control pandemics, medical geologists should be involved in studying the genetic links between Earth material cycling, ecosystem resilience and the onset and transmission of diseases. There are three scientific challenges for medical geology studies:to understand the cycling of Earth materials deleterious or beneficial for human beings and animals and to assess their health risks; to reveal the geo-environmental factors and processes related to pandemics and to explore mitigation approaches; and to identify and assess the distribution, transport and health risks of emerging contaminants and pathogens. To respond effectively to these challenges, it is necessary to integrate innovative resources, advocate and support convergence and promote medical geology survey programs with coordinated interdisciplinary involvement, and to enforce the construction of research platforms and improve quality of professional education.