PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Woollard, R. F. TI - Ecosystem and population health: the role of Canadian physicians at home and abroad DP - 1995 Oct 15 TA - Canadian Medical Association Journal PG - 1117--1120 VI - 153 IP - 8 4099 - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/153/8/1117.short 4100 - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/153/8/1117.full SO - CMAJ1995 Oct 15; 153 AB - Seemingly intractable problems of overpopulation, ecologic degradation, diminishing resources and regional warfare are having a profound effect on global population health. Canadian physicians can assist in ameliorating these problems by helping to modify the overconsumption of natural resources at home and by participating in international health projects focused at the community level, where the health of individuals and that of their environment intersect. The author describes the work of the Canadian Hunger Foundation in Vietnam and Sri Lanka, where a team of professionals worked with local farmers to improve the local water supply, decrease soil erosion and increase food production. The team observed changes in the physical health of communities that resulted in part from interventions that empowered them to address their own problems.