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Future Health & Food Security & Sustainability

Contents
Possible Solutions to Food Insecurity
Contemporary Approaches to Food Production
Prevention & Treatment of Disease
Managing Pandemics
Case Study: Pandemic
 Possible Solutions to Food Insecurity
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Possible Solutions to Food Insecurity
Food Insecurity
Food insecurity is the lack of access to nutritious and affordable food
There is enough food for everyone on the planet, however, consumption is uneven
Many people, particularly in lower-income countries, suffer from food deflcits and food
insecurity Roughly 783 million people are suffering from severe hunger
In more developed countries, there is often a food surplus and large amounts of food waste
Possible Solutions to Food Insecurity
Economic and agricultural solutions
Those working in government could provide more investment in agriculture
Investments boost the agricultural economy, modernise agricultural systems, and support those
in poverty
This reduces food insecurity
Microflnance loans support farmers in investing in technologies or other methods to boost
their productivity
Ensure that land is used to grow food crops for humans, instead of cash crops for biofuels or animal
fodder
Moving away from subsistence farming, and adopting commercial agriculture to improve
incomes and boost production
Political solutions
Countries or organisations send food aid to those in need during war or after a natural
disaster Natural disasters and warfare can result in food shortages or even famine
Alleviates governments so they can focus on infrastructure repairs or other vital
tasks Free Trade:
Reductions in trade limitations make it easier for food exports and
imports Free trade removes import tariffs which lowers food cost
Allows agricultural technologies and knowledge to fiow more easily, leading to
increased productivity
Improves the variety of foods that countries may have access to
Boosts economic growth
Examples of Free Trade agreements:
North Atlantic Free Trade Area (NAFTA)
Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement
(CETA) UK-Australia Free Trade Agreement/UK-New Zealand Free Trade
Agreement
Fair Trade:
 Reduces the risk of farmers being affected by changing prices, providing them with stable
incomes
Provides farmers with fair pay Your notes
Allows farmers to grow food for export and self-sufficiency
Provides food loans or fertilisers during low productive
seasons Support of agricultural mechanisation e.g. farming
equipment
Land Reform:
Land tenure and tenure insecurity have a huge impact on food
insecurity Farmers are more likely to invest in land that is theirs
Provides farmers with more access to inancial support
Better ownership of land can ensure crops are grown not just for exports or cash
crops Giving women more land ownership rights can improve productivity
Ending warfare
Confiict can cause food insecurity
e.g: Crop damage
Weaponisation of food
Aid blockades
Many confiicts have resulted in or contributed to famine
Promoting peace and ending conflict is vital for ending food insecurity
Creating or improving government policies that focus on reducing food insecurity and
boosting production
The UK adopted the Agriculture Act and Fisheries Act to support producers in their
transition to sustainability, to ensure food security for the future

Technological solutions
The Green Revolution:
Using Irrigation systems during dry seasons and in arid
climates Using high-yielding seeds to increase yield
Using pesticides and fertilisers to reduce pests and increase
yield The New Green Revolution:
Crops which can withstand droughts or high
salinity Boosting soil production through crop
rotation
Integrated pest management
Mechanisation of agriculture
Using more machinery like tractors or heavy
tools Improving storage and transport
infrastructure
Moving to contemporary food production
Biotechnology e.g. Genetically Modifled Crops or [popover id="w772lam4L-pdIAPv"
label="In Vitro Meat"
Vertical Farming e.g. hydroponics and aeroponics to grow more food
 Sustainable agriculture - to protect the environment, boost food production, support
farmers and prepare for climate change
Polyculture to boost soil fertility or crop rotation Your notes
Solar-powered irrigation
Organic produce
Integrated pest management
Appropriate technology to boost local production (typically
in LICs) Small-scale irrigation pumps and pipes made of
plastic
Solar agriculture uses small greenhouses to grow food even during the winter season

Social and cultural solutions

Educating women and giving them more rights to improve productivity
Reducing food waste:
Encouraging food donations to food banks or other charities
Educating people properly about ‘best before’ and ‘use by’
dates Many foods are safe to eat well beyond these dates
Education about food waste, pre-planning and not cooking in excess
Improvements to transport and storage infrastructure to reduce
spoilage waste Initiatives and programmes to reduce food waste:
Food Waste Reduction Alliance Project - working on reducing food waste, donating food
and recycling waste/keeping it from landill
Many supermarkets sell ‘Wonky Veg’ or take part in ‘Too Good To Go’ offers
Some restaurants have a ban on getting rid of food waste e.g. in Austin, Texas
 9.4.2 Contemporary Approaches to Food Production
Your notes
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO)
Genetically Modifled Organisms are modiications of genetic material
Genetic modiication involves adjusting DNA to create new variations of plants and animals
New DNA is inserted into other organisms or shared between organisms to improve
productivity, fiavour or nutritional value
Through biotechnology, we can now alter the structure of organisms
Normal methods for food production may be unsuccessful or cause certain
issues For example, pests and diseases may impact successful crop
growth
Genetic modiication can increase pest and disease
resistance GM methods include:
Increasing the nutrition density of a
crop Disease resistance
Pest resistance
Growth hormones
Increasing shelf life and reducing spoilage
time Taste improvement
Examples of GM foods include:
Pink Pineapple
Tomatoes
Salmon
Cotton
Summer squash
It is a heavily debated food production
method
Many countries across the world ban or have restrictions on GMO products
 Your notes

Countries with GMO restrictions in 2016

Vertical Farming
Vertical Farming Your notes
Vertical farming is the growth of crops vertically (upwards), in layers
Usually occurs in large buildings, greenhouses or shipping containers to reduce land
use Produces more food for the land available
Examples include:
Hydroponics - growing plants without soil, using mineral nutrient-rich water instead
Aquaponics - using aquaculture with hydroponics. Waste from marine animals nourishes the
water used for crop growth
Aeroponics - crops hang in the air, with their roots exposed. A nutrient-rich condensed mist waters
the plants
Vertical farming is seen in countries across the world, from Germany and the Netherlands to Japan
and Singapore
Examples of vertically farmed foods
include: Lettuce, kale, broccoli, garlic
Strawberries
Tree seedlings
Plants used for
medicine Fish

An Aeroponic system
In Vitro Meat
In Vitro Meat Your notes
In Vitro Meat is synthetic meat
It is produced by removing cells from live animals and placing them into a culture liquid full of
nutrients, where they will grow to produce tissue
Natural (or synthetic) materials, e.g. gelatine, are then used to help shape the tissue into the
recognisable ‘meat’
It is highly restricted or banned in some countries
Only the United States and Singapore currently sell In Vitro Meat
Advantages of contemporary approaches
Contemporary
Advantages
approach
Genetically Helps to increase the nutrition provided by crops through nutrient fortiication
Modifled
Organisms Rice with high vitamin A density
This is useful for LICs with higher levels of undernutrition and nutrition-
related diseases
Crops may be drought-resistant

This supports food growth in countries with arid climates and low water
provision
May produce more productive crops and higher yields

This will lower food prices and support food security

Food lasts longer and won't spoil quickly

Pest resistance limits the use of harmful pesticides

Can improve fiavour and the look of food, e.g. apples which don’t

brown
Vertical farming Doesn’t require soil, which is ideal for places with poor soils

Can be grown in all sorts of places, from highly urbanised cities to the
underground

Much more sustainable, using

Less land
Fewer pesticides and fertilisers (and therefore less
pollution) Less water
Recycled water
Less polluting
 Less transport (reducing food miles)
Saves land for other resources
Your notes
Supporting food security and climate change, as there is less risk of crop
damage from fiooding or droughts. It is more reliable

Aeroponics reduces the amount of labour needed to grow produce

In Vitro Meat More sustainable - conventional meat production has negative effects on the
environment e.g. high water use, land use, greenhouse gas emissions

Better for animal welfare than conventional farming (animals don’t die)

Is productive, with large outputs

Better for our health with fortiication of nutrients e.g. Omega-3 fatty

acids Reduces the need for things like growth hormones

Reduces the risk of animals contracting diseases and limits the risk of food
poisoning pathogens

Disadvantages of contemporary approaches

Contemporary Disadvantages
approach
Genetically Modifled People are still worried about the safety of GMO foods for consumption
Organisms e.g. allergic reactions or cancer

May cause superweeds, which are resistant to certain herbicides

This increases the use of harmful herbicides

Different restrictions across the world add to people’s
suspicion

Biotechnology giants control production.

Patents limit what farmers have access to and could ultimately

affect food security
May cause biodiversity loss and cross-contamination of GMO genes into
other natural organisms
Vertical farming Needs regular monitoring and knowledge to operate successfully

Low labour inputs may result in fewer jobs and the loss of traditional
farming jobs
 Heavily technology dependent

If there is a fault in the system, crop loss will be Your notes

catastrophic Land in urban areas is expensive, resulting in
higher costs

The systems use a lot of energy

In Vitro Meat Many question the ethics of production

Can be costly, with technologies and trained

staff

This results in higher prices for the consumer

Low-income countries may not be able to adopt this method
Has a different taste from normal meat

Uncertainty around the safety of In Vitro Meat e.g. cancer possibilities

The culture liquid is sometimes made from animal blood, therefore it isn’t
necessarily cruelty-free

Not really a useful alternative for vegetarians and vegans

Could put conventional farmers out of business

Increasing people’s access to meat may result in people eating more,

bringing disease with it

Exam Tip
Make sure you know the advantages and disadvantages of each contemporary approach to food
production. You may be asked to compare the three or with traditional farming techniques!
 9.4.3 Prevention & Treatment of Disease
Your notes
Prevention & Treatment of Disease
Prevention and treatment
Healthcare systems differ across the world
Some countries focus on prevention, whilst others focus on treatment
Preventative Healthcare involves preventing the disease from manifesting or
spreading General avoidance of disease contraction and spread
Quick detection of diseases to improve
recovery Anticipating disease to stop further
development
Examples include yearly fiu jabs or cancer
screenings The advantages of preventative
healthcare include:
It helps to spot or diagnose some diseases early e.g. cervical cancer
screening This can lead to recovery as diseases haven't progressed
It can be cheap and easy to distribute e.g. education and health
campaigns It stops the spread of disease before it becomes dangerous
Curative Healthcare involves the treatment of a disease post-infection
Very effective with the correct resources e.g. hospitals and medical
staff Examples include antibiotics or chemotherapy
Curative healthcare is more common
globally The advantages of curative
healthcare include:
Entirely getting rid of a disease or illness instead of just reducing the
severity Supports recovery from a disease
Primary healthcare combines both prevention and treatment strategies

Social Marginalization Issues

Social marginalisation issues
Social marginalisation is the exclusion of certain groups in society
Marginalised people may not be able to access or afford healthcare
This is particularly a problem where healthcare isn’t free
Immigrants may not be able to register themselves with healthcare providers
easily Poorer people are typically more at risk of Diseases of Poverty
Many Diseases of Poverty are preventable diseases e.g. measles or polio
Disease prevention is an ideal strategy e.g. vaccinations for measles and
polio If education rates are lower, disease prevention may not be as
effective
Curative strategies would therefore be a better option
Government Priorities
Government Priorities Your notes
Governments may prioritise curative healthcare
This may negatively impact ‘\people who need preventative treatment
Governments could improve by ensuring their focus and priority is on the provision of
preventative healthcare for people who need it most
During endemics or pandemics, governments must minimise disease spread and develop
preventative or curative treatments
In many cases, the cost of health strategies can infiuence government choices
Some treatment options are signiicantly more expensive than preventative
measures Governments may analyse how risky a disease may be
If the effects of the disease are not concerning, cheaper prevention methods may be adopted
E.g. there are all sorts of fiu strains that come around each year
The UK offers regular preventative fiu jabs for free or at a low price

Means of Infection
Means of infection
The means of infection can affect whether preventative or curative strategies are chosen
Communicable diseases are contagious diseases, therefore prevention is vital
With curative treatment, millions of people will contract the disease and be at risk of serious
health issues or even death, before a cure is found
Non-communicable diseases may also beneit from preventative measures e.g. improving
diets can reduce the risk of heart disease or high blood pressure
However, in much of the developing world, curative strategies already exist for many non-
communicable diseases
If a new/unknown disease appeared, curative measures would be the only real
option If a disease spreads very quickly, then it would be too late for preventative
measures Some diseases in high quantities would need primary
healthcare e.g. malaria Prevention of disease could waste money e.g.
screenings without disease discovery
Money could be funnelled into better curative medicine for people already suffering
Scientific Intervention
Scientific Intervention Your notes
Without scientiflc intervention, many prevention and treatment options wouldn’t be
available Science has contributed to the creation of:
Preventative measures like vaccines for smallpox and
hepatitis Curative measures like radiation therapy for
cancer
Scientiic intervention and advice are vital for deciding which healthcare approach to adopt
Scientiic intervention may guide government policies on global approaches e.g. to
pandemics Scientiic bodies associated with charities and other non-governmental
organisations may put
pressure on governments to follow a particular strategy
Countries with more investment in scientiic and healthcare sectors will be able to provide
more curative and preventative treatment
 9.4.4 Managing Pandemics
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What is a Pandemic?
Pandemics
A pandemic occurs when a disease affects one country, multiple countries or the whole
world The World Health Organisation will state whether a pandemic has
begun Famous pandemics include:
The Black Death in the 14th
century Spanish Infiuenza in
1918
Swine Flu in
2009 Covid-19 in
2020
Epidemiology of Disease
Epidemiology of Disease Your notes
The Epidemiology of Disease is the understanding of:
When a disease
started Where it has
started
How it started
Factors contributing to the spread
It also supports work to prevent and treat diseases
It is a vital study that underpins the management of
pandemics
The famous physician John Snow, named the ‘Father of Epidemiology’, was one of the
irst to use epidemiological thinking to assess disease outbreak
In London in 1854, a severe outbreak of cholera hit the city
Most physicians at the time assumed it to be an airborne disease
Using epidemiology, John Snow worked out how the disease
began The disease originated from a water pump
We can think about disease spread using the Epidemiological
Triangle There are 3 factors to consider:
Host - characteristics of a person e.g. age, race, occupation, social status etc
Agent - the cause (biological, chemical, physical or nutritional)
Environment - what could impact the agent (temperature, food or water, pollution,
housing status)
 Your notes

The Epidemiological Triangle

Prior Local & Global Awareness

Prior Local & Global Awareness
Local and global awareness of pandemics is important in pandemic
management If a disease is already well known to local and global communities, people are more
aware of the issues
This means that the disease is easier to manage and reduces the impacts
Novel diseases are harder to manage as people are not aware of the risks and
prevention strategies
A good example is COVID-19:
The UK government adopted a ierce hand-washing strategy
Covid-19 is an airborne disease, therefore evidence now suggests that the focus should have
been on controlling this
Masks and lockdowns were brought in later, resulting in huge infection levels and death
toll Prior local and global awareness can help us prepare for future diseases
Knowledge about diseases is
vital: Where diseases
originate
How diseases spread
How to minimise impacts
International Action
International Action Your notes
International action involves international governments and organisations working together
to combat a pandemic
International action is a powerful tactic in reducing disease spread and impact:
Global vaccination rollouts
Consistent testing, tracing and treatment
Announcements of Public Health
Emergency International border closures
Relief efforts e.g. doctors, aid workers etc
International funding and collaboration for pandemic containment

Role of the Media

Role of the Media
The media can play both a vital and destructive role in pandemic management
Mainstream media, the news and social media can impact the portrayal of a pandemic
When the media informs the public about a pandemic, they may do so from a speciic
angle This may result in empathetic reactions from the public, resulting in more
awareness and
knowledge about the issue
When based on science, it is a good source of information for the general public
Informs the public about rules e.g. lockdowns or vaccine availability
Poor media coverage can result in stigmas towards the disease e.g. HIV was initially labelled as
a ‘gay disease’
Western media may only begin to report on a disease outbreak in places like Africa when
Westerners come home with the disease
Media portrayal of pandemics can result in scaremongering
 9.4.5 Case Study: Pandemic
Your notes
Case Study: COVID-19
Covid-19 Pandemic
Causes
Covid-19 is a novel coronavirus, caused by
SARS_CoV-2 Novel viruses are new diseases
Other examples of coronavirus in the past include:
SARS coronavirus (Severe Acute Respiratory
Syndrome) MERS coronavirus (Middle East
Respiratory Syndrome)
Covid-19 originated in Wuhan, China in 2019
It was traced back to a market in the city and the animals sold
there This supports a zoonotic outbreak theory
Others theorise it may have come from the Wuhan Institue of Virology
The World Health Organisation named Covid-19 a global pandemic in March
2020
 Your notes

Impacts
It is still an ongoing pandemic
Over 700,000,000 cases have been
recorded Nearly 7 million people have
died
As it was a novel coronavirus, there was very little prior local and global awareness about it
Symptoms include:
Fever
Dry cough
Shortness of
breath Exhaustion
Cold symptoms
Loss of smell or taste
Whilst many have recovered, lots of people suffer from Long
Covid:
Brain fog
Insomnia
Exhaustion or chronic fatigue
 Can also affect heart function, stomach issues, muscle
pains School closures across the world, resulting in missed
education Businesses closed and many people became Your notes
unemployed
Hospitality and retail closed
Borders closed, hitting the travel and tourist industries
More deaths occurred in areas of poverty, exacerbating
inequalities Extreme poverty rates rose
It affected the global economy, leaving many countries in recession
Large gatherings and important events were banned or cancelled e.g. marathons, the 2020
Olympics and festivals

Management
Many strategies were adopted across the world to combat the
pandemic Management solutions differed between different countries
Lockdowns were enforced, and people could not leave their homes
Wuhan enforced a lockdown in January 2020
The UK was criticised for enforcing a lockdown too late
Some countries were incredibly strict with their lockdowns, with very little freedom for the public
China adopted a Zero-Covid Policy, which resulted in protests and a severe hit to the
public’s mental health
Initial border closures, followed by mandatory quarantining for travellers
Some countries kept their borders irmly shut, for example, New Zealand closed their borders
for 2 years
Once vaccines arrived, travel rules eased, as long as you had evidence of vaccination or recent
infection
International action was a vital part of the pandemic management:
The global vaccine rollout was an important moment in 2021
The most vulnerable had high priority e.g. the elderly, people in healthcare and people
with illnesses
The World Health Organisation aimed to vaccinate 70% of the world’s population by
2022 In many countries, vaccination was an official requirement for certain people
Contact tracing and testing were a vital part of tracking the spread
Many countries had apps that would notify you of being in the presence of a positive
case Encouragement of regular testing
Encouragement to keep distance from people outside their household
After the lifting of major lockdowns, other restrictions remained in
place
Some countries enforced nighttime curfews
Some countries adopted rules for hospitality and other events
Germany had a ‘2G’ rule, where people were only allowed to take part in certain activities
if they were ‘geimpft’ (vaccinated) and ‘genesen’ (recovered)
Encouragement or mandates for masking in public spaces in many countries
 The media played a vital role:
TV, social media and other media outlets spread information and educated people about
the pandemic Your notes
However, misinformation and ‘fake news’ became a problem
The media labelled Covid-19 as ‘Wuhan Virus’ or ‘China Virus’, which increased
xenophobia and racism-fuelled violence
There was economic support for people in many countries where people faced
unemployment Many governments offered more than half of people’s salaries
International debt relief e.g. paying off loans and stopping evictions

Exam Tip
Make sure you link back this case study to how we manage pandemics, including prior awareness,
international action and the role of the media.