News

April 7 World Health Day 2008: protecting health from climate change

In 2008, World Health Day focuses on the need to protect health from the adverse effects of climate change. WHO selected this theme in recognition that climate change is posing ever growing threats to global public health securit.

World Health Organization Director-General warns vulnerable populations at greatest risk of projected impacts

7 APRIL 2008 | GENEVA -- Scientists tell us that the evidence the Earth is warming is "unequivocal." Increases in global average air and sea temperature, ice melting and rising global sea levels all help us understand and prepare for the coming challenges. In addition to these observed changes, climate-sensitive impacts on human health are occurring today. They are attacking the pillars of public health. And they are providing a glimpse of the challenges public health will have to confront on a large scale, WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan warned today on the occasion of World Health Day.

"The core concern is succinctly stated: climate change endangers human health," said Dr Chan. "The warming of the planet will be gradual, but the effects of extreme weather events -- more storms, floods, droughts and heat waves -- will be abrupt and acutely felt. Both trends can affect some of the most fundamental determinants of health: air, water, food, shelter and freedom from disease." More 

 

We're all Downwind: EAST ASIA's Dirty Air pollutes North America

GREENBELT, Maryland, March 17, 2008 (ENS) - Close to 15% of the air pollution over the western United States and Canada originates in East Asia, according to NASA researchers using the latest, most accurate satellite sensors. Their study offers the first measurement-based estimate of the amount of pollution from East Asian forest fires, urban exhaust, and industrial production that makes its way to western North America in just one week.

Salads, Gardening Linked to Lower Lung Cancer Risk

HOUSTON, Texas, March 17, 2008 (ENS) - By simply eating four or more servings of green salad a week and working in the garden once or twice a week, smokers and nonsmokers alike may be able to substantially reduce the risk of developing lung cancer, say researchers at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.

"This is the first risk prediction model to examine the effects of diet and physical activity on the possibility of developing lung cancer," says Michele Forman, Ph.D., lead author of the study and a professor in M. D. Anderson's Department of Epidemiology.

World's Water Needs Grow More Urgent

NEW YORK, New York, March 17, 2008 (ENS) - The international community needs to start creating strategies for using water more efficiently and sharing it more fairly, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, warning that unless action is taken soon, the conflicts and problems caused by water shortages around the world will multiply. On Friday, the UN released figures showing that more than 100 million Europeans still lack access to safe drinking water.