Press Release

Monday 7 April 2008

WHO MUST PRESSURE GOVERNMENTS TO ACT ON CLIMATE CHANGE

World Health Organization should offer strong leadership, say public health bodies

The World Health Organization (WHO) must exert all of its power and influence to make sure governments take action on the critical issue of climate change, the UK’s leading public health organisations have urged.

The Faculty of Public Health (FPH), UK Public Health Association (UKPHA) and Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) have welcomed the WHO’s recognition that public health is an integral part of the climate change agenda for its World Health Day 2008, but say decisive action is needed at all levels to avert the potentially catastrophic public health impacts that climate change may bring.

World Health Day takes place on 7 April and aims to raise awareness of key global public health challenges. This year’s theme - ‘protecting health from climate change’ – is that sustainable development is inextricably linked with healthy environments and improved public health. However, say the organisations, last December’s climate change talks in Bali demonstrated how difficult it can be to reach consensus on this issue, which is why WHO has a responsibility to help mobilise governments around the world.

The worldwide public health effects of climate change are already being felt, in the form of food shortages, extreme weather events, conflict over dwindling resources and mass migration, among others. FPH, UKPHA and CIEH are working together to ensure sustainable development is a central focus of the NHS and local government agenda in the UK, and supporting public health professionals in incorporating it into their everyday working lives. But, say the organisations, concerted action is needed at international, national and local levels, with leadership and strong support from WHO.

‘Governments across the world have been far too slow to recognise that public health is at the very centre of the climate change agenda,’ said FPH president Alan Maryon-Davis. ‘We urge the WHO to use its power and influence to make sure governments face up to this humanitarian threat and make genuine progress in tackling it. FPH is working hard to support action at local level through such initiatives as our joint position statement Sustaining a healthy future – taking action on climate change. But strong international leadership is needed on what is undoubtedly the 21st century’s most serious public health issue.’

CIEH President, Stephen Battersby, said. ‘Although the public health consequences of climate change are now being recognised, there is a lack of concerted action to ensure that all those agencies whether at local or central government level, including government agencies, work together to address this great challenge. Environmental health practitioners in this country and around the world will be at the forefront of dealing with and mitigating the effects within communities. The CIEH is working to ensure that these practitioners are properly equipped to face this challenge. The WHO’s initiative will help to highlight range of skills and expertise required and it is hoped in turn this make governments act.’


UKPHA Chief Executive, Angela Mawle, said. ‘It is imperative that public health communities across the globe support the WHO in its call for action on climate change. There are no greater threats to the health of humanity than those posed by climate change and environmental degradation and at no time has there been a greater need for powerful leadership and advocacy from all those involved in sustaining and advancing the health of the public.’

 

Ends

Notes to editors

    1. For media enquiries contact FPH Press & Media: 020 7935 3115 or 07717 000 681.
    Interviews can be arranged with: FPH President Alan Maryon Davis; UKPHA Chief Executive Angela Mawle; CIEH President Steve Battersby

    2. The Faculty of Public Health (FPH) is the leading professional body for public health specialists in the UK. It aims to promote and protect the health of the population, and improve health services, by maintaining professional and educational standards, advocating on key public health issues, and providing practical information and guidance for public health professionals. It has produced a guide to tackling climate change within the health sector – Sustaining a Healthy Future available from: www.fph.org.uk

    3. The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) is the professional voice for environmental health. It ensures the highest standards of professional competence in its members, in the belief that through environmental health action people's health and well-being can be improved. The CIEH represents over 10,000 members working in the public (including the armed forces), private and non-profit sectors addressing issues such as housing conditions, water quality, food safety and pest management. For more information about the CIEH visit www.cieh.org

    4. The UKPHA is an independent, UK wide voluntary association, which brings together through its membership, individuals and organisations from all sectors, sharing a common commitment to promoting the public’s health. The organisation seeks to promote the development of healthy public policy at all levels of government and across all sectors. It acts as an information platform and aims to support those working in public health both professionally or in a voluntary capacity.
    UKPHA continues to influence at national, regional and local levels. Focussing on its three key priorities -combating health inequalities, promoting sustainable development, challenging anti-health forces – www.ukpha.org.uk


 

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