Announcement Coincides with 2008 National Public Health Week, April 7-13
Washington, D.C., April 4, 2008 – APHA applauds Chairman Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis (D-Calif.) of the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming on today’s introduction of a resolution and announcement of a congressional hearing on the critical relationship between public health and global warming.
The announcement coincides with next week’s observance of National Public Health Week (April 7-13), which this year focuses on the link between climate change and human health.
“With consensus within the scientific community that there is a direct connection between climate change and our health, we are pleased that our leaders in Congress are getting involved in addressing this important issue,” said Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, FACEP (E), executive director of APHA. “It is essential that our nation’s leaders join the public health community in being proactive to address what might be the greatest challenge of our generation.”
The bipartisan resolution introduced today by Markey and Solis recognizes the connection between the changes in the world’s climate and health concerns like disease, air pollution, water supplies and quality, and other significant health effects.
Dr. Benjamin will join other leading experts in the fields of health and climate change in testifying at the committee’s hearing on Wednesday, April 9, 2008, to explore these pivotal issues.
To learn more about National Public Health Week, visit www.nphw.org.