Earth Observation for Public Health

Global public health is a transdisciplinary field of research and action where policymakers, health practitioners, scientists, and development actors come together to solve a range of different challenges. Health is an important foundational requirement that can dictate the smooth functioning of any economy and an important enabler of broader progress in sustainable development. United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UN SDG) 3 commits to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.”

EO imagery has the potential to improve global public health and directly contribute to the monitoring and achievement of SDG 3 and other related SDGs. For instance, EO data is used to
predict natural disasters and can strengthen resilience to climate-related hazards (SDG target 13.1), which in turn could prevent injury and loss of life, improve public health, and contribute to SDG 3.

This report does not cover the value of EO data in disaster resilience, water and sanitation, or nutrition, all of which can impact health. Instead, it focuses on how EO directly contributes to
public health by tackling four challenges faced by countries worldwide. These challenges have been defined based on a combination of the WB’s and ADB’s health focus areas, as well as case studies and academic references that best demonstrate the value that EO brings to public health:

● Strengthening health systems and the delivery of health services
● Controlling disease outbreaks through environmental monitoring
● Managing extreme weather events
● Understanding air quality and implications for health