Who authored "On Airs, Waters, and Places" emphasizing the environmental influences on health?

The author of "On Airs, Waters, and Places" is Hippocrates, who is often referred to as the Father of Medicine. In this seminal work, Hippocrates presented a systematic approach to understanding how environmental factors such as air quality, water sources, and geographical location influence human health. He was among the first to propose that the environment plays a critical role in the well-being of individuals, moving away from supernatural explanations for disease towards a more rational, observational framework.

Hippocrates emphasized the importance of clean water, breathable air, and suitable living conditions, noting how different environments could contribute to various illnesses. His ideas laid the groundwork for what would later become the field of epidemiology and public health, underscoring the significance of environmental health in medical practice. The insights he provided are still relevant today, as the relationship between the environment and health continues to be an area of vital research and public concern.