World Health Day 2008 : Protecting Health from Climate Change
Wrote by: Indah Amelia
Assalamualaikum all my friends 
Today, I brought to you a very fresh news from ‘our world today’.
But first, let me ask you questions: Have you ever heard about Global Warming? Do you aware that Global Warming is really a hot issue in our world nowadays?
I’m pretty sure that many of you are answering ‘Yes’ (for you who answered NO, come on! You need to turn on your TV or radio, seriously!)
Global Warming has been a very happening issue recently -beside the Cinta Laura accent fever :p. Many NGOs, organizations until celebrities are now talking about it. Want to make you a smart followers (mean that you follow the trend smartly, in this case, you partake in Global Warming action not only talk ), i’ll inform you more about it.
Wait wait wait,,,i just heard some of you mumbled that it has anything to do with us as a doctor?? Well, think again guys.
Doctor maybe one of the profession that get the big impact from the climate change. You want more facts?
On 7th April 2008 yesterday, the world is commemorating World Health Day (WHD). Theme for WHD this year is Protecting Health from Climate Change. WHD is commemorating every year to remark the founding of WHO as well as to draw worldwide attention to a subject of major importance to global health each year. The theme about Climate Change is selected by WHO as recognition that climate change is posing a great growing threats to global public health.
See? even, WHO is now concern about the Global Warming issues. And i think it is really natural, when our habitat is damage, it will impact on the life of its citizens, including their health. But what and how the climate change impact our health?
Health hazards from climate change are diverse and global in nature. The hazards range from higher risks of extreme weather events to changes in the dynamics of infectious diseases. Many of the leading killer diseases are sensitive to climatic conditions; their incidence and spread are likely to be affected by changing weather patterns.
The health impacts of climate change are already evident in different ways: more people are dying from excessive heat than before, changes are occurring in the incidence of vector-borne diseases, and the pattern of natural disasters is altering.
These impacts will be disproportionately greater in vulnerable populations, which include the very young, elderly, medically infirm, poor and isolated populations. Vulnerability is also high in:
- areas with a high endemicity of climate-sensitive diseases, severe water scarcity, and low food production;
- small-island developing states and mountainous regions; and
- megacities and coastal areas in developing countries.
Now you see the link? So don’t think that we only take part as a world citizens. We as a future doctor also take part as a Doctor who will take care the patients whom maybe ‘created’ by the climate change. Not to forget the ‘Preventive part’ of our jobs, once again we really need to partake this global movement. The health impacts of climate change will be difficult to reverse in a few years or decades. Yet, many of these possible impacts can be avoided or controlled.
WE can take part in:
1. Use less papers, tissues, plastics
2. Lessen your traveling by plane, cars or motorcycle. Use more public transportations and bicycle
3. Turn off the electricity you dont use.
4. Eat less frozen food
5. Plant a tree
6. Dont shower too long! and MANY MORE!!
The sooner these things are taken, the greater their impact on our planet, the better it will be on our public health.
Let’s start now!!!
Source: www.who.int (Visit to find more details)
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