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On lifestyle trends, health and mosquitoes: Formulating welfare levels for control of the Asian tiger mosquito in Greece
- Source :
- PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, Vol 13, Iss 6, p e0007467 (2019), PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
- Publication Year :
- 2019
- Publisher :
- Public Library of Science (PLoS), 2019.
-
Abstract
- The expansion of urban ecosystems and climate change, both outcomes of massive lifestyle changes, contribute to a series of side effects such as environmental deterioration, spread of diseases, increased greenhouse gas emissions and introduction of invasive species. In the case of the Athens metropolitan area, an invasive mosquito species—the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus)–has spread widely in the last decade. This spread is favoured within urban environments and is also affected by changing climatic trends. The Asian tiger mosquito is accompanied by risks of mosquito-borne diseases, greater nuisance levels, and increased expenses incurring for its confrontation. The main aims of this paper are (i) to estimate the various costs associated with the control of this invasive species, as well as its health and nuisance impacts, (ii) to evaluate the level of citizens’ well-being from averting these impacts and (iii) to record citizens’ and experts’ perceptions regarding alternative control measures. Evidence shows that experts tend to place a high value on mosquito control when associated with serious health risks, while citizens are more sensitive and concerned about the environmental impacts of control methods. The synthesis of results produced by the current study could act as a preliminary guide for the estimation of societal welfare from the confrontation of similar problems in the context of a complex ecosystem.<br />Author summary This paper is based on several years’ collaboration among researchers from various disciplines, key health policy makers and stakeholders in an attempt to evaluate the economic dimensions related to the presence of the Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes albopictus) and the challenges of tackling mosquito-borne disease outbreaks in Greece and Southern Europe. Similar studies have been conducted and continue to be published in Europe and the USA examining the socioeconomic benefit from the implementation of relevant control and prevention strategies. These studies conclude that there are significant benefits related both to the reduction of nuisance levels and the reduction of the health risks posed by various mosquito species. In our case, the application of an updated economic analysis on the effectiveness of relevant public control and prevention programs provides essential information for public health decision-making, bearing in mind the significant restructuring of the public sector and the fiscal crisis apparent in the European South.
- Subjects :
- Male
RNA viruses
0301 basic medicine
Viral Diseases
Mosquito Control
Economics
RC955-962
Social Sciences
Invasive Species
Disease Vectors
Mosquitoes
Geographical locations
0302 clinical medicine
Aedes
Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine
Medicine and Health Sciences
Public and Occupational Health
Socioeconomics
Pathology and laboratory medicine
health care economics and organizations
media_common
Aged, 80 and over
Greece
biology
Eukaryota
Middle Aged
Medical microbiology
Socioeconomic Aspects of Health
Insects
Europe
Mosquito control
Infectious Diseases
Geography
Viruses
Female
Pathogens
Public aspects of medicine
RA1-1270
West Nile virus
Research Article
Neglected Tropical Diseases
Adult
Aedes albopictus
Adolescent
Arthropoda
Climate Change
media_common.quotation_subject
030231 tropical medicine
Context (language use)
Mosquito Vectors
Microbiology
Young Adult
03 medical and health sciences
Health Economics
Species Colonization
Animals
Humans
European Union
Life Style
Aged
Estimation
Health economics
Flaviviruses
Ecology and Environmental Sciences
fungi
Organisms
Viral pathogens
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Biology and Life Sciences
Chikungunya Infection
Tropical Diseases
biology.organism_classification
Invertebrates
Metropolitan area
Insect Vectors
Microbial pathogens
Health Care
Species Interactions
030104 developmental biology
People and places
Urban ecosystem
Introduced Species
Welfare
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 19352735 and 19352727
- Volume :
- 13
- Issue :
- 6
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....8d6d00bdcd2822d552e36435b09bce39