Since its establishment in 2007, the Global Forest Expert Panels (GFEP) initiative of the Collaborative Partnership
on Forests (CPF) has been effectively linking scientific knowledge with political decision-making on forests. GFEP responds to critical forest-related policy concerns by consolidating available scientific knowledge and expertise on these issues at the global level. It provides decision-makers with the most relevant, objective and accurate information and thus makes essential contributions to increasing the quality and effectiveness of international forest governance. This report titled, “Forests and Trees for Human Health: Pathways, Impacts, Challenges and Response Options”, presents the results of the eighth global scientific assessment undertaken within the framework of GFEP. All GFEP assessments are prepared by internationally recognized scientists from varied professional backgrounds and geographical contexts. The publications are presented to stakeholders across relevant international policy fora to support more coherent policies on the role of forests in addressing the environmental, social and economic challenges reflected in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In recent years, global public health challenges have taken centre stage. The COVID-19 pandemic has created severe healthcare disruptions and reversed decades of health and economic improvements. In addition to infectious diseases, the surge of non-communicable diseases has also become a major public health threat. Global factors, including urbanisation and climate change, further exacerbate such adverse effects on human health. Framing the Interrelations Between Forests and Human Health; The Health and Wellbeing Effects of Forests and Natural Environments; Forests for Human Health – Understanding the Contexts, Characteristics, Links to Other Benefits and Drivers of Change; Response Options: Access, Spatial Dimensions, Design, Communication and Economics.
