25 Feb 2010

Conference highlights - 'What's good for climate is good for health'

The impact of climate change on health, and the health benefits of tackling climate change, were highlighted today at a conference hosted by the Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH).

Speakers showed how climate change impacts on health, particularly those in more vulnerable groups, and how taking action to tackle climate change is linked with action to reduce health inequalities. The conference was opened by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, John Gormley TD.

IPH Chief Executive Dr. Jane Wilde said: "Action to tackle climate change has direct relevance to health and health inequalities. The creation of healthy, sustainable places and communities should go hand in hand with our response to climate change. The benefits to health include less chronic disease, heart disease and obesity. It is important that any measures we take to respond to climate change do not widen health inequalities. Action on climate change should be a priority area in work to reduce health inequalities".

"Some groups are more exposed to adverse effects of climate change because of where they live, or because of their socioeconomic status, while others are more vulnerable because of pre-existing medical conditions or their age, especially older people and very young children."
IPH Associate Director Owen Metcalfe, encouraged the following measures which could reduce carbon emissions and also benefit health.

• Producers, processors and consumers work together to develop guidelines for the production of sustainable food, which will reduce diabetes and obesity.
• Improve energy efficiency in houses and other settings, which will reduce the effects of fuel poverty.
• Improve active travel by increasing the use of public transport, bike to work and college schemes and cycle paths, which can reduce levels of obesity and improve mental health.
• Increase access and availability to open green spaces which can reduce levels of obesity and improve mental health. 
• Reduce the impact of emissions from waste by recycling and using eco-friendly products.
• Carry out Health Impact Assessment of policies designed to address climate change.

Addressing how climate change may impact on health in Ireland, NUI Maynooth Lecturer, John Sweeney said climate change could result in slightly less excess winter deaths due to increasing winter temperatures, but increasing summer temperatures could lead to an increase in food and water borne diseases - thus causing an increase in related deaths.

"Mortality rates in Ireland in winter are substantially higher than in many European countries. This high cold-related mortality may principally be accounted for by fuel poverty and poor housing standards. Climate change, by increasing mean temperatures, may be expected to reduce this winter mortality and benefit overall mortality rates in Ireland, in particular from respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. However, increases in summer temperatures may produce increases in mortality from cardiovascular or respiratory diseases, particularly for people living in cities.

“A range of food-borne and water borne diseases, such as salmonella, campylobacter and E. Coli may also become more problematical. Perhaps the greatest threat will come as a result of increased winter rainfall to public water supplies which will have crucial public health dimensions."
The Co-Chair of the UK Climate and Health Council, Professor Mike Gill said that debate on climate change has been mainly in environmental or economic terms, and yet all the damages and disruptions caused by climate change have health effects.

"Just as public health professionals should have been more alert earlier to the obesity epidemic, now we should be collaborating with colleagues in other disciplines and sectors to plan for and respond to the health dimensions of climate change."
He highlighted that linking climate change and health together strengthened the case for action as "what is good for the climate is good for health."

The Head of the Sustainable Development Commission in Northern Ireland, Jim Kitchen cited clear co-beneficial links between climate change and health. "Using cleaner energy can help in reducing respiratory disease, encouraging people to use public transport, cycling and walking can help reduce cardiovascular diseases and promoting sustainable diets will help in tackling obesity and diabetes.

Further Information
ROI: David Gibney, Montague Communications: (01) 830 3116 or (087) 799 2480.
NI:    Gráinne Walsh, Stratagem: (028) 9087 2800 or (0792) 016 5600.
         Arlene McKay, IPH: (048 ROI) (028 NI) 9069 0058 or (0044) 773 490 3944.

The Institute of Public Health in Ireland
The Institute of Public Health in Ireland (IPH) promotes cooperation for public health across the island of Ireland. It aims to improve health by working to combat health inequalities and influence public policy in favour of health. Further information can be found at www.publichealth.ie.