Climate Change and Human Health

Climate Change and Human Health

Did you know that climate change can endanger your health and survival? Did you know that protecting your health from climate change will contribute to health promotion? It will reduce the risks of diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, and obesity, and will reduce global warming. The threats are different dependent on where you live, but they disrupt the basic essential requirements for health: food, air and water.

There is an unfair distribution of the health risks related to greenhouse gas emissions. Most of the gas emissions are emitted in industrialized countries; whereas, the risks are greater in developing countries that have contributed less to the problems. They are greater in populations where the social and health systems are weak.

Why should you care?

• Wherever you live climate change threatens your health and wellbeing.
• Climate related injuries and illnesses account for over 150,000 deaths and 5.5 million unhealthy lives each year.
• Each year, 60,000 deaths are as a result of climate related disasters.
• It is projected to get worse.
• Many of the steps required to prevent climate change have a positive effect on health.
• Action now can protect health from climate change.
• Reducing global warming can be good for health.

What can you do to help?

• Focus on the current local health threats.
• Share this information with friends and family.
• Learn to recognize symptoms of diseases affected by climate change in the area where you live.
• Find about new medication you may need.
• Learn about ways to protect your self and family from the local threats.
• Take precautions to protect your skin from skin cancer.
• Learn to make development choices that are carbon friendly.
• Reduce your carbon footprint.

If you live in an area where extreme whether conditions are a problem, take action to provide adequate hydration, heating, cooling and ventilation. This is especially so for to those who are most vulnerable such as the elderly, the physically challenged, the socially isolated and the poor. In areas where ozone depletion is a problem protect your skin from skin cancer. In areas where malaria is a threat, protect yourself and your children from mosquito bites, teach your children to use insect repellent.

Reducing your carbon footprint
Your carbon foot print is the amount of carbon you currently produce. If your carbon footprint is high you become a high carbon emitter; reducing it will contribute to good health, the environment and a reduction in global warming. There are things you can do to reduce your carbon footprints and energy use. They are also good for your health, they are:

• Walking
• Taking public transport
• Cycling
• Better waste management
• Choosing products with smaller carbon impact
• Taking the train instead of the plane
• Making better dietary choices.

Health Benefits

In making better dietary choices you will reduce your intake of saturated fats, excess sugar and salt. This is part of a healthy eating pattern. Increased physical activity will result in less obesity related illnesses, prevent heart disease. Reduced air pollution will lead to less respiratory diseases such as asthma and bronchitis. Preservation of water quantity and quality will result in safe drinking water reducing the risks of waterborne diseases.

Tips:

• Use the Internet for shopping and to access health and medical resources. This will reduce greenhouse emissions, and save on gasoline costs.
• Have your carbon foot print calculated; you may be a high carbon emitter.

At superhealtheis a website supporting health promotion. You can find more information on climate change.
There are many actions that you can take. You can shop for health on line at ehealthshop.superhealthe