Sea levels are rising. Glaciers are melting and heat waves are striking with increasing frequency. The global climate is changing, and with those changes come challenges for U.S. public health professionals, who will be faced with new and increasing health dangers in their states and communities.
To keep tabs on climate change effects on the nation, the Environmental Protection Agency has compiled a list of 26 environmental indicators. Released as a report in December, the indicators are designed to be used to better understand climate trends and how they may affect people, the environment and society. From increased flooding to more frequent droughts to increases in cases of tropical infectious diseases, climate change has been predicted to have a marked impact on U.S. public health.
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1 comment
Peggy da Silva says:
Feb 1, 2013
I am concerned that we, as a public health profession, are not doing enough to reverse the climate crisis. Our efforts should not be primarily about “adapting” to this huge problem. We should be out in force educating about specific things people and communities (and governments) can and should be doing to get our carbon emissions below 350. I was very disappointed that the demonstration at the annual meeting about climate action was so small. Prevention is where we need to put our biggest efforts — and treatment (adaptation) should be much further down the line.