Dataset Information

Strengthen causal models for better conservation outcomes for human well-being.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Understanding how the conservation of nature can lead to improvement in human conditions is a research area with significant growth and attention. Progress towards effective conservation requires understanding mechanisms for achieving impact within complex social-ecological systems. Causal models are useful tools for defining plausible pathways from conservation actions to impacts on nature and people. Evaluating the potential of different strategies for delivering co-benefits for nature and people will require the use and testing of clear causal models that explicitly define the logic and assumptions behind cause and effect relationships.

Objectives and methods

In this study, we outline criteria for credible causal models and systematically evaluated their use in a broad base of literature (~1,000 peer-reviewed and grey literature articles from a published systematic evidence map) on links between nature-based conservation actions and human well-being impacts.

Results

Out of 1,027 publications identified, only ~20% of articles used any type of causal models to guide their work, and only 14 total articles fulfilled all criteria for credibility. Articles rarely tested the validity of models with empirical data.

Implications

Not using causal models risks poorly defined strategies, misunderstanding of potential mechanisms for affecting change, inefficient use of resources, and focusing on implausible efforts for achieving sustainability.

SUBMITTER: Cheng SH

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7083336 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Strengthen causal models for better conservation outcomes for human well-being.

Cheng Samantha H SH McKinnon Madeleine C MC Masuda Yuta J YJ Garside Ruth R Jones Kelly W KW Miller Daniel C DC Pullin Andrew S AS Sutherland William J WJ Augustin Caitlin C Gill David A DA Wongbusarakum Supin S Wilkie David D

PloS one 20200320 3

<h4>Background</h4>Understanding how the conservation of nature can lead to improvement in human conditions is a research area with significant growth and attention. Progress towards effective conservation requires understanding mechanisms for achieving impact within complex social-ecological systems. Causal models are useful tools for defining plausible pathways from conservation actions to impacts on nature and people. Evaluating the potential of different strategies for delivering co-benefits ...[more]

PMID: 32196534

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Project description:A prevailing animal model currently used to study severe human diseases like obstructive cholestasis, primary biliary or sclerosing cholangitis, biliary atresia, and acute liver injury is the common bile duct ligation (cBDL). Modifications of this model include ligation of the left hepatic bile duct (pBDL) or ligation of the left bile duct with the corresponding left hepatic artery (pBDL+pAL). Both modifications induce cholestasis only in the left liver lobe. After induction of total or partial cholestasis in mice, the well-being of these animals was evaluated by assessing burrowing behavior, body weight, and a distress score. To compare the pathological features of these animal models, plasma levels of liver enzymes, bile acids, bilirubin, and within the liver tissue, necrosis, fibrosis, inflammation, as well as expression of genes involved in the synthesis or transport of bile acids were assessed. The survival rate of the animals and their well-being was comparable between pBDL+pAL and pBDL. However, surgical intervention by pBDL+pAL caused confluent necrosis and collagen depositions at the edge of necrotic tissue, whereas pBDL caused focal necrosis and fibrosis in between portal areas. Interestingly, pBDL animals had a higher survival rate and their well-being was significantly improved compared to cBDL animals. On day 14 after cBDL liver aspartate, as well as alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, glutamate dehydrogenase, bile acids, and bilirubin were significantly elevated, but only glutamate dehydrogenase activity was increased after pBDL. Thus, pBDL may be primarily used to evaluate local features such as inflammation and fibrosis or regulation of genes involved in bile acid synthesis or transport but does not allow to study all systemic features of cholestasis. The pBDL model also has the advantage that fewer mice are needed, because of its high survival rate, and that the well-being of the animals is improved compared to the cBDL animal model.

Project description:ImportanceMortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD) varies across communities and is associated with known structural and population health factors. Still, a population's well-being, including sense of purpose, social relationships, financial security, and relationship to community, may be an important target to improve cardiovascular health.ObjectiveTo examine the association of population level measures of well-being with rates of CVD mortality in the US.Design, setting, and participantsThis cross-sectional study linked data from the Gallup National Health and Well-Being Index (WBI) survey to county-level rates of CVD mortality from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Atlas of Heart Disease and Stroke. Participants were respondents of the WBI survey, which was conducted by Gallup with randomly selected adults aged 18 years or older from 2015 to 2017. Data were analyzed from August 2022 to May 2023.Main outcomes and measuresThe primary outcome was the county-level rate of total CVD mortality; secondary outcomes were mortality rates for stroke, heart failure, coronary heart disease, acute myocardial infarction, and total heart disease. The association of population well-being (measured using a modified version of the WBI) with CVD mortality was assessed, and an analysis of whether the association was modified by county structural factors (Area Deprivation Index [ADI], income inequality, and urbanicity) and population health factors (percentages of the adult population who had hypertension, diabetes, or obesity; were currently smoking; and were physically inactive) was conducted. Population WBI and its ability to mediate the association of structural factors associated with CVD using structural equation models was also assessed.ResultsWell-being surveys were completed by 514 971 individuals (mean [SD] age 54.0 [19.2] years; 251 691 [48.9%] women; 379 521 [76.0%] White respondents) living in 3228 counties. Mortality rates for CVD decreased from a mean of 499.7 (range, 174.2-974.7) deaths per 100 000 persons in counties with the lowest quintile of population well-being to 438.6 (range, 110.1-850.4) deaths per 100 000 persons in counties with the highest quintile of population well-being. Secondary outcomes showed similar patterns. In the unadjusted model, the effect size (SE) of WBI on CVD mortality was -15.5 (1.5; P < .001), or a decrease of 15 deaths per 100 000 persons for each 1-point increase of population well-being. After adjusting for structural factors and structural plus population health factors, the association was attenuated but still significant, with an effect size (SE) of -7.3 (1.6; P < .001); for each 1-point increase in well-being, the total cardiovascular death rate decreased by 7.3 deaths per 100 000 persons. Secondary outcomes showed similar patterns, with mortality due to coronary heart disease and heart failure being significant in fully adjusted models. In mediation analyses, associations of income inequality and ADI with CVD mortality were all partly mediated by the modified population WBI.Conclusions and relevanceIn this cross-sectional study assessing the association of well-being and cardiovascular outcomes, higher well-being, a measurable, modifiable, and meaningful outcome, was associated with lower CVD mortality, even after controlling for structural and cardiovascular-related population health factors, indicating that well-being may be a focus for advancing cardiovascular health.

Dataset Information

Strengthen causal models for better conservation outcomes for human well-being.

Background

Objectives and methods

Results

Implications

Publications

Strengthen causal models for better conservation outcomes for human well-being.

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