Linking public health and the health of the Chesapeake Bay

The Chesapeake Bay has a profound impact on the lives of all who reside in the 64,000 square miles of its watershed. From crab cakes to sailboats, dri nking water to naval ships, the Bay touches virtually every aspect of life in the region. The Bay has inspired literature, driven the regional economy , and shaped political decision making and development patterns for homes, industry, agriculture,and transportation. As population demands increase an d urban boundaries expand into pristine landscapes, the sustainability of t he Chesapeake Bay and its resources face unprecedented pressures. Consequen tly, the public's health also is vulnerable to Bay pollution and other stre sses stemming from development activities and widespread growth occurring t hroughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed. This paper will examine the linkage s between the environmental quality of the Bay and the population health st atus, recommend ways to bridge ecological and human health concerns in the context of the Bay, and finally present a framework for developing a public health report card for the Bay. (C) 2000 Academic Press.