World Health Day 2008 to Highlight Health Effects of Climate Change
PAHO/WHO calls for action to mitigate impacts that range from hurricanes and floods to shortages of food and water.
Washington, D.C., April 4, 2008 (PAHO)—The effects of global climate change on human health and the need for action to prevent adverse impacts will be the focus of World Health Day 2008, which this year marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organization (WHO). The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) will host a celebratory event marking the day at its Washington, D.C., headquarters on Monday, April 7, at 9:30 a.m.
"Climate change is already affecting the health of people in countries around the world, and the consensus is that these effects are only going to intensify," said PAHO Director Dr. Mirta Roses, who will give the welcoming message at the event. "This year's World Health Day is a call for raising awareness and taking action to protect health through preventive measures at the global, regional, and local levels. We cannot wait any longer to act."
Other invited speakers for the April 7 event include:
- Michael Leavitt, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services
- Kristie Ebi, lead author of the chapter on human health of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 4th Assessment Report
- Hardy Spoehr, Executive Director, Papa Ola Lokahi, Hawaii (who will speak on the health effects of climate change on indigenous populations in Hawaii)
- John Scott, Coordinator of the Subcommittee on Health of the American Indian and Alaska Native Climate Change Working Group
- Luiz A. Galvão, Area Manager for Sustainable Development and Environmental Health
Climate change threatens human health in diverse and broad-reaching ways, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. It can increase extreme weather events, such as the 2003 heat wave that killed some 35,000 Europeans in 2003. It can affect the incidence and spread of infectious diseases such as dengue and malaria. And it can contribute to water and food scarcity or increase the risks of water and food contamination. In the most general sense, climate change can alter the ecosystem in ways that impact heavily on human well-being and even survival.
Such hazards are likely to have the greatest impact on poorer and more vulnerable countries and population groups, including the elderly, the very young, people with medical conditions, and those living in poor and isolated communities.
Also at higher risk are people who live in small-island states and coastal areas, and countries where climate-sensitive diseases are already endemic, where water is already scarce, or where food production is low.
With the theme "Protecting Health from Climate Change," World Health Day will promote actions to prevent or mitigate these effects. Proposed actions include steps by individuals and households to reduce their "carbon footprint," improvement and promotion of mass transportation systems, and strengthening public health systems across the board. Also important is collaboration between the health sector and other sectors to ensure sound, evidence-based policies on climate change and human well-being.
"It will be difficult to reverse the health impacts of climate change later," said PAHO Director Roses. "What we do now will help much more, and indeed will determine in large measure the health of all future generations."
PAHO, founded in 1902, works with all the countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of their peoples. It also serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization.
For more info, materials, PSAs, or graphics, please visit PAHO's World Health Day 2008 web page.
For more information please contact , PAHO, Public Information, 202-974-3459.