The “Message from the President”

Prof. Estelle NOBECOURT

President of the Scientific Committee

Welcome to the 2025 Indian Ocean Health Research Congress (CoReSOI), dedicated this year to the theme “Health and Environment.”

CoReSOI is a unique event that brings together researchers, healthcare professionals, ecologists, and policymakers to discuss challenges and innovative solutions at the intersection of human health and the environment in this critical region of the world.

Since antiquity, the connection between nature and human health has been recognized by visionary thinkers. Hippocrates (460-377 BCE) stated, “Nature itself heals the sick.” Centuries later, Paracelsus (1493-1541) emphasized our bond with the earth, saying, “The earth is also our mother, entering us daily with every bite we eat.” This relationship, simple and evident, takes on new meaning in the Anthropocene era, where human activities disrupt this balance. The concept of sustainable development, which stresses the need to preserve the environment while pursuing growth, has become essential. In 1987, Dr. Brundtland wrote in her report Our Common Future: “The environment is where we all live, and development is what we all do to improve our lot within that abode. The two are inseparable.” The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) represent a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. However, they are threatened by climate change, already affecting 3.6 billion people living in highly vulnerable areas. Small islands and low-income countries, though minor contributors to global emissions, suffer the most severe impacts.

According to the World Health Organization, environmental factors are responsible for 23% of deaths and 25% of chronic diseases worldwide. Pollution, one of the main environmental risks, causes nine million deaths annually (Lancet Planetary Health). Over the past two decades, there has been a marked increase in zoonotic (animal-borne) epidemics, partly due to increased human-wildlife contact. Before the 20th century, roughly one pandemic occurred per century; since 2002, six have already emerged (SARS, H1N1 flu, MERS-CoV, Zika, Ebola, and Covid-19).

Islands have played a key role in raising global environmental awareness by highlighting their vulnerability to rising sea levels and biodiversity loss. With unique and fragile ecosystems, the islands of the southwestern Indian Ocean (IO) have already suffered the consequences of human activities. Historical biodiversity losses, such as the emblematic dodo in Mauritius and its cousin the solitaire in Réunion, illustrate the impact of human actions on biodiversity.

In the southwestern IO region, islands face the resurgence of vector-borne diseases like dengue, influenced by climate variability. Healthcare infrastructure is vulnerable to extreme weather events. Challenges such as malnutrition, exacerbated by drought and climate changes in Madagascar, and increasing respiratory diseases due to air pollution are pressing concerns. Extreme weather events, such as more severe cyclones and seasonal changes, directly impact mental health, causing eco-anxiety and other psychological disorders. Solutions to these issues can only be guided by data generated through research.

This congress aims to highlight the contribution of health research in exploring the links between the environment and human health and in envisioning strategies to strengthen the resilience of health systems and infrastructure in the face of environmental and climate challenges. We will discuss the connections between the environment and cancer, mental health, physical activity and nutrition, epidemics, and more. We will explore the critical importance of the first 1,000 days of life and consider population-level interventions. This congress promises to be rich in content, featuring renowned speakers! We invite you to actively participate in this event to share your research, exchange ideas, and collaborate for a healthier and more sustainable future in the Indian Ocean region.

Prof. Estelle NOBECOURT

President of the Scientific Committee