Roger A Rosenblatt February 12, 2004

1. Environmental Health and the Health Professional Ecological Change and Human Health Roger A RosenblattFebruary 12, 2004

2. The first step: Making the diagnosis

4. Fever - Global Warming Asthma - Environmental Degradation Alopecia - Deforestation Thrush - Loss of Biodiversity Scabies - Overpopulation The Pathophysiology of the Global Health Crisis

5. Symptom: FeverDiagnosis: Global Warming

6. Global Warming - 1860-2000

8. World Carbon Emissions from FossilFuel Burning, by Economic Region, 1950-94 Developing Countries Former Eastern Bloc Industrial Countries

9. • Direct Effects: Lethal heat waves – Potential extreme weather events – e.g. hurricanes – Indirect Effects: • Increase in air pollution and respiratory disease – Greater growth & dispersion of fungal spores – allergies – Rising sea levels – Diseases that may become more common: • ` Malaria, dengue fever, equine encephalitis, West Nile virus – – Lyme disease, hantavirus, Cholera, Cryptosporodiosis – Global Climate Change: The Impact on Human Health

10. Symptom: AsthmaDiagnosis: Air Pollution

15. Symptom: AlopeciaDiagnosis: Deforestation

16. Deforestation Example

17. Symptom: ThrushDiagnosis: Loss of Biodiversity

18. Extinctions of birds and animals1600 to present(Audubon society, 1998)

19. Mass Extinctions:Loss of Biodiversity

20. Human-caused Proceeding extremely rapidly We have lost about 20% of species that existed in the year 1800 We will probably lose 25-50% of remaining species in the next century The Sixth Extinction

21. Symptom: ScabiesDiagnosis: Overpopulation

22. World Population Growth You Are Here (gradual economic decline) overpopulation begins (unsustainability) massive environmental destruction and loss of species beings

23. World Population Milestones 1 billion in 1804 2 billion in 1927 (123 years later) 3 billion in 1960 (33 years later) 4 billion in 1974 (14 years later) 5 billion in 1987 (13 years later) 6 billion in 1998 (11 years later)

25. There Is a Strong Association Between Mother’s Age at First Birth and Subsequent Poverty

27. E = MC2orEnvironmental Impact = M(Population) xC(Consumption) squared

28. Adopt an ecological perspective Reduce unwanted pregnancies in our communities Promote sustainable economic development Preserve natural habitat and the species that depend on them Include these issues in our academic and clinical work What can we do?

29. The Biological Approach The Biopsychosocial context The Ecobiopsychosocial imperative Adopting a Broader Perspectivein Public Health

30. Most Pregnancies Are Unintended mistimed pregnancies resulting in live births 20% unwanted pregnancies resulting in live births 8% 29% 43% unwanted and mistimed pregnancies ending in abortion intended pregnancies resulting in live births

31. Slowing Population Growth by MeetingFamily Planning Needs, 1950-2100 if no family planning programs if family planning programs continue at 1980-85 level if all unwanted births are avoided

32. Use resources in a sustainable manner Avoid polluting our natural resources Address occupational and environmental diseases Serve as role models for those who follow Sustainable Economic Development: Some roles for the health professional

33. Create parks and ecological reserves Safeguard rare and endangered species Protect and create forests Support ecological restoration efforts Preserve Natural Habitats

34. Work to broaden the curriculum Respond to NIH’s Road-Map Initiative Work with other complementary groups on campus Think about how a new discipline of Population and Ecosystem Health might evolve Next Steps