Disease outbreaks, air pollution, and extreme weather events – this is the forecast given by the world’s most renown climate experts who now warn that unless action is taken to curb global climate change within the next ten years, we will pass a “tipping point” beyond which devastating consequences will become unavoidable. Investing in our public health system to understand, prevent, respond and adapt to the health impacts of climate change is critical to the health of our nation.
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Preventing increased illness as a result of destruction from floods and droughts, scarcities in food and water, increases in pollutants and allergens, and changes in insect and rodent carrying viruses is critical. Local Health Departments have a role to play in this work and in the communities’ ability to understand the importance of taking personal and community action to prevent the potentially devastating effects of global climate change.
In the face of present and future climate change predictions NACCHO strongly endorses:
- Developing education programs for communities
- Promoting scientifically based programs and recognizing best practices
- Building unique partnerships to ensure effective action on climate change
- Developing leadership capable of responding to the health effects of climate change.
