Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 4 — Narrative / commentaryPeer-reviewedConventional

Understanding the roles of economy and society in the relative risks of zoonosis emergence from livestock.

Hinchliffe S, Blanchette A, Chan KWR, Degeling C, Emel J, Leach M, Scoones I, Winter M.

R Soc Open Sci · 2024

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Summary

This paper, authored by leading researchers in critical animal studies and food systems, examines how political economy and social organisation—rather than pathogen biology alone—shape risks of zoonotic emergence from livestock. The work likely argues that disease risk is contingent on economic structures (commodity markets, labour precarity, intensification), regulatory environments, and institutional capacity, suggesting that technical interventions alone are insufficient without addressing underlying socioeconomic drivers.

Regional applicability

The findings are relevant to UK livestock policy and public health strategy, particularly regarding biosecurity governance, farm labour conditions, and the relationship between farm consolidation and disease risk. The analysis may support arguments for integrating socioeconomic considerations into UK zoonosis preparedness and antimicrobial stewardship frameworks.

Key measures

Qualitative assessment of economic and social determinants of zoonosis risk; conceptual synthesis across livestock systems and geographic contexts

Outcomes reported

The study examined how economic structures, social organisation, and institutional arrangements shape the relative risks of zoonotic pathogen emergence from livestock production systems. The analysis likely synthesised evidence on the relationships between farming economics, labour practices, market integration, and epidemiological risk.

Theme
Policy, governance & rights
Subject
Food & agricultural policy
Study type
Narrative Review
Study design
Narrative review
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
Global
System type
Mixed farming
DOI
10.1098/rsos.231709
Catalogue ID
NRmo9zxr64-07l

Topic tags

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