The convergence of human health, animals and diseases starts with biological processes. They are also, however, stimulated and sustained by social dilemmas. Examples include inadequate health care and disease monitoring, contaminated natural resources, overpopulation and overcrowding, and transportation systems that move diseases farther and faster than ever before.
Overcoming the social conditions that enable the growth and spread of disease dilemmas requires a movement at local levels to create social change.
As is recognized in our name, “Local Action Global Health,” we believe that a movement must be created at local levels to cultivate attention for social issues within the convergence on local and global levels. This movement is vital to fostering community engagement, especially among diverse communities of people who can make the changes needed to protect human and animal health.
Creating a movement at local levels and grassroot levels gives opportunity for innovation and creative ideas to spring forth as the participants in such a movement are often those closest to the dilemma. In addition, sometimes the best and most efficient solutions are found not in government or formal institutions but within a community of concerned citizens.