topics
tools
Expatica countries
Index Last Var.(%)
BEL 20 2119.44 0.28
DAX 6339.94 0.38
IBEX 30 6543 0.13
CAC 40 3047.94 0.32
FTSE 100 5351.53 0.03
AEX 292.76 0.23
DJIA 12454.83 -0.60
Nasdaq 2837.53 -0.07
FTSE MIB 13154.8 0.36
TSX Composite 11576.47 0.09
ASX 4081.2 -0.61
Hang seng 18713.41 0.25
Straits Times 2772.75 -0.24
ISEQ 20 500.94 1.55
You are here: Home News Spanish News Climate change poses "abrupt" threat to public health

Spanish News

archive
Enlarge font Decrease font Text size


08/04/2008Climate change poses "abrupt" threat to public health

WHO says that effects of global warming will aggravate existing problems.

8 April 2008

GENEVA - Climate change would endanger public health, exacerbate existing problems and pose a new strain on already overstretched resources, said the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Monday.

WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan said: "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."

The WHO chose to highlight the impact of global warming to mark the annual World Health Day. World Heath Day is celebrated on 7 April.
Climate-sensitive diseases have already killed millions, it said. These include malnutrition (3.5 million deaths per year), diarrheal diseases (1.8 million), and malaria (almost 1 million).

Changes in weather patterns were already providing examples of the challenges public health would have to confront on a large scale. An estimated 70,000 people died during the European heat wave of 2003 while outbreaks of diseases linked to rain or temperature risked increasing.

In the last 30 years, for example, warmer temperatures had created more favourable conditions for mosquito populations increasing the transmission of malaria.

"Although climate change is a global phenomenon, its consequences will not be evenly distributed," said Chan. "In short, climate change can affect problems that are already huge, largely concentrated in the developing world, and difficult to control."

In readiness, the WHO was stepping up its efforts to address the health effects of climate change by coordinating and supporting research, and advising member states on adapting their care systems to protect their populations.

[dpa / Expatica]


0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment

General rating: Not rated yet

Rate article:    Add my rating



0 reactions to this article

Be the first person to add a comment
Discussion Forums

Technology in Spain

Sat phones/internet links

English in Spain

What is the best travel insurance cover to Spain?

American in Spain

U.S. citizens, plan to vote in 2012? Did you know...

Relocation to Spain

thinking of moving to madrid

Jobs in Spain

Job Agencies or how to find work.

participate in the forums

Inside Expatica
Editor's Guide: Getting Started in Spain

Editor's Guide: Getting Started in Spain

Expatica's Getting Started section will provide practical information on how you can open a bank account, exchange your driving licence, improve your Spanish, and more.

Groups and Clubs in Madrid

Groups and Clubs in Madrid

Here's a guide to an extensive list of groups and clubs in Madrid for expats, from sports groups to social and family gatherings.

Groups and Clubs around Spain

Groups and Clubs around Spain

A brief introduction to our Tax section for Spain, from help with inheritance tax to accounting advice.

Groups and Clubs in Barcelona

Groups and Clubs in Barcelona

Here's a short introduction to our Banking section for those living in Spain, from what to ask the experts to opening a Spanish bank account.