The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is a public corporation created by the Parliament of Canada in 1970 to help developing countries use science and technology to find practical, long-term solutions to the social, economic, and environmental problems they face. Support is directed toward developing an indigenous research capacity to sustain policies and technologies that developing countries need to build healthier, more equitable, and more prosperous societies.

The Ecosystem Approaches to Human Health Program Initiative at Canada's International Development Research Centre supports research on the relationship between all components of an ecosystem to define and assess priority problems that affect the health of people and the sustainability of their ecosystem.

In seeking to improve human health and well-being while simultaneously maintaining a healthy ecosystem, the emphasis is on the design of solutions based on ecosystem management rather than health sector interventions.