Protecting Health From Climate Change: Top Public Health Charities Support World Health Day

Main Category: Water - Air Quality / Agriculture
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 08 Apr 2008 - 9:00 PDT

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The Royal Society of Health (RSH) and the Royal Institute of Public Health (RIPH) are today supporting the World Health Organization (WHO) on World Health Day, which is focussing this year on the need to protect health from the adverse effects of climate change.

In selecting climate change as the theme for World Health Day, WHO aims to turn the attention of policy-makers to some compelling evidence from the health sector. While the reality of climate change can no longer be doubted, the magnitude of the consequences most especially for health - can still be reduced. Consideration of the health impact of climate change will help political leaders move with appropriate urgency.

Professor Richard Parish, Chief Executive of the RSH and RIPH comments:

"There is overwhelming evidence that climate change is putting the world's public health at risk. It is essential that government, international organisations and businesses work together to push forward the climate change agenda".

The RSH and the RIPH are to merge later this year to become a vibrant new body working to improve public health in the UK and beyond. Mitigating the health consequences of climate change will be one of the many aims of the new organisation.

For more information on World Health Day please visit http://www.who.int/world-health-day/en/.

Notes

The Royal Society of Health and the Royal Institute of Public Health are two of the oldest public health organisations in the world. Both based in London, they are leading independent bodies with an international reputation dedicated to the promotion, practice and protection of the highest standards of public health.

They offer a wide range of public health related qualifications delivered through an extensive network of training centres nationwide.

They have international memberships representing a cross-section of health professionals and hygiene specialists whose work involves the protection and improvement of the public health

Royal Institute of Public Health