Markey, Solis Highlight Link Between Global Warming and Public Health

Press Release

In advance of National Public Health Week and World Health Day next week, Chairman Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis (D-Cali.) of the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming today introduced a resolution and announced a Congressional hearing in recognition of the critical relationship between public health and global warming.

"There are no hospitals for sick planets, and a sick planet will endanger public health across the globe," said Markey. "What the planet and her citizens need now is to change its lifestyle and get healthy. The planet needs to cut the pollution that causes global warming, and we in Congress must do our part to heal our planet and protect the health of people everywhere."

"For many years, the public health community and I have fought to educate the public about the impact of our environment on our health. Climate change is a proven scientific reality, and it will disproportionately affect the sick, poor, elderly, and communities of color," said Solis. "I urge my colleagues to recognize the relationship between our climate and health and to work toward achieving climate justice."

Markey and Solis introduced a bipartisan resolution today recognizing the connection between the changes in the world's climate and health concerns like disease, air pollution, water supplies and quality, and other significant health effects. The resolution has 97 co-sponsors (SEE LIST BELOW).

According to the World Health Organization, climate change is a significant and emerging threat to public health. The WHO estimates that changes in the Earth's climate may have caused at least five million cases of illness and more than 150,000 deaths in 2000, and predict these impacts are likely to increase in the future. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) determined that climate change contributes to the global burden of disease, premature death and other adverse health impacts due to extreme weather events, changes in infectious disease patterns, air quality, quality and quantity of water and food. Adverse health impacts of climate change also include increases in heat stress, asthma, allergies and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Chairman Markey also announced the Select Committee will hold a hearing next week exploring these pivotal issues, continuing the committee's mandate to study and address the most pressing challenge of our generation. The hearing will be on Wednesday, April 9, 2008 and will feature preeminent experts in the field.

Monday, April 7, 2008 marks the beginning of National Public Health Week, which is sponsored by the American Public Health Association (APHA). In addition, April 7 is World Health Day, which is sponsored by the World Health Organization. This year, the respective themes are "Climate Change: Our Health in the Balance" and "Protecting Health From Climate Change." APHA is the oldest and largest organization of public health professionals in the world and works to educate the public, policy-makers, and public health professionals about issues important to improving the public's health.

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