Ecological perspectives in health research
- 1Centre for Health and Policy Studies, Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Canada
- 2International Collaborative Centre for the Study of Social and Physical Environment and Health, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, University of Calgary, Canada
- Correspondence to: Dr L McLaren Centre for Health and Policy Studies, G230, Health Sciences Centre, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Dr NW, Calgary AB, Canada; lmclarenucalgary.ca
- Accepted 26 February 2004
Abstract
An ecological perspective on health emphasises both individual and contextual systems and the interdependent relations between the two. Origins of this approach have emanated from multiple disciplines over the past century or more. This article provides a glossary of perspectives, processes, and settings that pertain to an ecological approach in health research.
