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Environmental factors drive much chronic disease risk, with 70-90% of risk tied to environmental conditions, according to Greece’s first comprehensive One Health study.
The research highlights links between the health of people, animals and the environment.
Conducted by the Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine (ISPM) for MSD Greece, it seeks to mobilize scientists and communities to address threats to health and ecosystems.
Researchers found up to 90% of chronic diseases stem from hazardous environmental factors, while 75% of infectious diseases are zoonotic.
More than 70% of infectious diseases originate in wildlife, scientists said.
Zoonoses infect more than 1 billion people yearly and cause over 2 million deaths.
The study says 20% of cancers are linked to diet. At least 15% of deaths in Europe are tied to environmental factors.
