This post is by John Balbus, M.D., M.P.H., Chief Health Scientist at Environmental Defense.
Damage to public health from climate change is already occurring around the world, with over 160,000 extra deaths occurring annually from malaria, diarrhea, malnutrition, and flooding.
Public health professionals are taking notice, and looking for solutions.
This post is by John Balbus, M.D., Chief Health Scientist at Environmental Defense.
Original Testimony [PDF] |
Edited Testimony [PDF] |
Dr. Julie L. Gerberding, Director of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), gave written testimony to a Senate committee this week. The statement she gave was a full six pages shorter than originally planned because of deep cuts made by the White House.
The author of today’s post, John Balbus, M.D., M.P.H., is Chief Health Scientist at Environmental Defense.
In the past when I gave talks about dengue fever, I’d say it was a problem in Mexico, but relatively rare over the border in Texas. I need to update my slides. Following an outbreak of dengue fever in Brownsville, Texas, health investigators found that 38 percent of the town was at risk for the most dangerous form of the illness.
This is a big deal, and global warming may well play a role.
Today’s post is by John Balbus, M.D., the Chief Health Scientist at Environmental Defense.
“If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.” That saying may work for part-time chefs, but it doesn’t do much for the victims of recent heat waves. They couldn’t escape the unusually severe temperatures.
A warmer world is likely to bring two different types of heat: warmer average temperatures, especially at night, and more frequent extremes. What do higher temperatures mean for us? Read More
The author of today’s post, John Balbus, M.D., is Chief Health Officer at Environmental Defense.
Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) use dramatically less energy than incandescent bulbs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. But they also contain mercury – a dangerous toxin.
What if you drop a CFL and it breaks? How much trouble are you in?
John Balbus, M.D., M.P.H. is a senior scientist and head of the Environmental Defense health program.
People tend to think that human life is independent from other species – that global warming’s effect on other life forms is sad, but not of direct concern. Think again! What happens to other species can have a profound effect on us. Global warming can change where on earth a particular life form can or cannot thrive. And when that life form carries or causes disease, look out!
Consider this case in point:
