The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change 2007 assessment report says that we are having a climate change now and it is affecting our health. According to a summary prepared for Grantmakers in Health, "people are exposed to climate change directly through changing weather patterns and and indirectly from changes in water, air, and food quality; ecosystems; agriculture; industry and settlements; and the economy." The World Health Organization estimates that climate change has already claimed 150,000 people.
As our communities and the presidential candidates discuss health care costs and access, let's hold their feet to the fire on this issue. We can and should have universal access to health care but if we don't address some of the external causes of poor health, then our efforts will be less effective. This is not an "either/or" situation but rather a necessary part of the plan we need to implement to improve the environment and our health.
We should also investigate whether climate health affects are disproportionately distributed according to income, race, or ethnic origin. Many think New Orleans is evidence of that.
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