News release
George Mason University
STUDY SHOWS MOST HEALTH DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS SEE
CLIMATE CHANGE AS LOOMING HEALTH THREAT
http://eagle.gmu.edu/newsroom/display.php?rid=696&keywords=
FAIRFAX, Va. – A new study from George Mason
University reveals that while a majority of U.S.
health department directors believe their city or
county will have serious public health problems
as a result of climate change within the next 20
years, very few of them have planned or
implemented activities to detect, prevent or
adapt to these health threats.
Edward Maibach, professor and director of the
Center for Climate Change Communication and lead
author of the study, wanted to understand how
directors of local public health departments
view, and are responding to, climate change as a
public health issue.
“Relatively few Americans, businesses and
policymakers are aware of the consequences that
climate change is likely to have on the health of
our communities, families and children,” says
Maibach. “Our research shows that most, if not
all, local health departments are going to
require assistance in making climate change
adaptation and prevention a priority and must
take action now to ensure climate change does not
become an increasing global threat.”
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