We identify convergence between the emerging field of Ecological Public Health (with its calls for an acknowledgement in policy and action of the integration of social and natural ecology) and the concept of ecosystem services. We agree that there are close relationships between ecosystem services and the four determinants of human health and well-being, as identified by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment.6 Based on the experience both in using mDPSEEA and applying the ecosystem service frameworks, we suggest that there is a need to integrate social and ecological perspectives within
both environmental and public health policy in order to frame complex issues in a policy-relevant way and to support
stakeholder engagement. This implies that a new conceptual
framework is required that can provide an underpinning
theoretical model, and also help communicate and operationalize
Ecological Public Health for the development of integrated
policies.