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| The Health Sector on the Front Lines |
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In the age of climate change, the health sector finds itself on the front lines, confronting and adapting to a changing landscape and shifting burden of disease. By working to reduce carbon pollution in the atmosphere, while developing forward looking adaptation strategies, we can protect human health, saving lives and money. Indeed, the health sector can play a leadership role in developing and modeling climate solutions for the rest of society. |
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| Reports & Publications |
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Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Agenda is a document that sets out to support existing efforts around the world to promote greater sustainability and environmental health in the health sector, and thereby to strengthen health systems globally.
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| Notice: The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of Health Care Without Harm concerning the legal, social, economic status of any country, territory, city of area or of its authorities. The published material is being distributed without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. The responsibility for the interpretation and use of the material lies with the reader. Online articles and links might expire days after their release date. |
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| Notice: The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of Health Care Without Harm concerning the legal, social, economic status of any country, territory, city of area or of its authorities. The published material is being distributed without warranty of any kind, either express or implied. The responsibility for the interpretation and use of the material lies with the reader. Online articles and links might expire days after their release date. |
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| Endorse the DOHA Declaration on Climate, Health and Wellbeing |
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| source HCWH |
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Building upon last year's successful climate and health summit an informal alliance of health organizations around the world – including Health Care Without Harm, World Medical Association, the International Council of Nurses, International Federation of Medical Students Climate and Health Alliance and others – has prepared a statement aimed at climate negotiators currently meeting in Doha.
The Declaration details why health experts are extremely worried about the slow progress at the international climate negotiations, and highlights why health co-benefits can be important argument for ambitious climate mitigation.
As a joint statement from the global health community, the paper reiterates policy demands from the Durban declaration and Call to action 2011, and applies the core ideas from the Durban climate and health summit to most recent knowledge and a growing level of urgency.
This statement will be used in discussion with policy makers in Doha, but also serves as roadmap of future action. If you want to support this statement you can sign up here: www.dohadeclaration.weebly.com |
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| Global: HCWH Founder, Gary Cohen Joins Former Vice-president and Nobel Laureate Al Gore, to Discuss Climate Change and Health |
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| source ClimateReality.org |
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On November 14-15, millions around the world tuned in to 24 Hours of Reality: The Dirty Weather Report. For this event, broadcast live on the Internet, HCWH brought together key health sector actors from around the world to discuss the impacts of climate change on public health and solutions that promote greater health. Watch:
- Gary Cohen and Al Gore discuss Dirty Weather, its origins, and what it means within the context of Superstorm Sandy. This session also included a special focus on the increasing costs associated with inaction on climate change.
- Fiona Armstrong, from HCWH Australian Partner Organization, the Climate and Health Alliance, talks about how climate change has manifested itself in Australia through drought, fires, and floods that are causing billions of dollars in damages.
- Nurse Karen Ballard, Nursing Consultant and former chair of the HCWH Nurses Work Group advocating for action.
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| Vietnam: Weather Changes Affect Health |
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| source Vietnam Bridge |
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Speaking at a conference, Tran Dac Phu, deputy director of the Health Ministry's Environment Management Department, has issued an action on climate-change adaptation that includes a focus on the healthcare sector as well as an emphasis on raising public awareness about the effects of climate change.
Key objectives of the master plan include an estimation of the scale of possible pandemics that could appear as a result of climate change and identification of adaptation measures.
Upgrading the knowledge of local healthcare workers and the public are other major goals of the plan. more |
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| US: Mold After Superstorm Sandy Could Pose Health Risk and Respiratory Symptoms |
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| source Huffington Post |
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Superstorm Sandy has left buildings and boardwalks ravaged, subways and streets flooded and hundreds of thousands of people throughout the northeast evacuated from their homes due to flood dangers. But once the water has gone down and people are able to return to their homes, those who have experienced flooding in their residences should be aware of another potential health danger: mold.
The health risks come from actually breathing in mold spores, which can provoke negative symptoms including sinus infections and congestion, coughing and breathing problems, and irritation of the eyes or skin, the New York State Department of Health reported. And the Environmental Protection Agency reported that people who already have lung disease may also be in danger of developing mold infection in the lungs. more |
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| Global: New Online Tool Calculates Health Benefits, Economic Value of Climate Change Efforts that Reduce Air Pollution |
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| source SacBee |
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A new online tool was released to help large and medium-sized cities calculate the health benefits and monetary value of air quality improvements.
The interactive website enables users to determine how many premature deaths can be avoided and the associated economic benefits in the world's largest cities, as a result of emissions reductions. more |
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