Public Health Week April 7-13

  Much credit is given to the Apollo moon mission’s photo of Earth for heralding in the environmental move­ment. For many, that visual of a seam­less green and blue planet helped us to appreciate the incredibly beautiful and fragile gift of our Earth as well as ac­cept that the oceans, land, atmosphere, wildlife, humans were all interconnect­ed and that Earth is home to all and is the responsibility of all of us.

  In recognition of one of to­day’s most crucial environmen­tal challenges, this year’s Na­tional Public Health Week theme is “Climate Change: Our Health in Balance.”
  “Our increasing understand­ing of climate change is trans­forming how we view the boundaries and determinants of human health,” says a World Health Organization re­port. “All animal species de­pend on supplies of food and water, freedom from excess infectious disease and the physical safety and comfort conferred by climatic stability. The world’s climate is fun­damental to this life-support.”
  The American Public Health Association chose this year’s theme, in part, to help ignite public awareness of the connection between cli­mate change and public health. Human-in­duced changes in the Earth’s climate now lead to at least 5 million cases of illness and 150,000 deaths each year, according to a WHO report.
  Another goal behind the 2008 National Pub­lic Health Week theme is highlighting innova­tive ways that individuals, families, communities and policymakers are moving forward in ad­dressing climate change. Recently, our own Gov. Ritter issued the first Colorado state Cli­mate Action Plan. This call to action establishes firm goals and clear strategies to reduce harmful greenhouse-gas emissions that increased 35 per­cent in Colorado in 15 years. It provides five easy steps people can take to address climate change from buying green to traveling smart such as by bike or mass transit.
  Environmental health is a core mission of public health. San Juan Basin Health Depart­ment’s environmental division protects our health through preserving and restoring our en­vironment.
  “ Many local and regional activities not only affect our public health here, but also con­tribute to climate change,” says Environmental Health director Mike Meschke. “ Issues such as air and water quality, growth and planning are addressed through our department’s ef­forts, but this is not enough. Change must oc­cur on all levels from individual and commu­nity efforts to state and federal policy changes.”
  Promoting healthy behavior changes is anoth­er key element of public health. Addressing cli­mate change is compatible with our mission of helping to keep people healthy. Many of the choices people should make for the sake of their own health and that of their community are the same ones that benefit the health of our planet.
  Almost 40 years after the famous Earth pho­to, advances in understanding the vastness of our universe show us how infinitesimal we are.
  We are the floating speck in Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who (great book and movie even if you don’t have a child). Yet, our sense of self-impor­tance continues to boggle the mind. Meanwhile in his isolated jungle corner, humble Horton not only accepts responsibility for taking care of the speck (and its Who species on board), he active­ly protects its survival, battles obstacles, stands up to nay-sayers and ultimately succeeds. What are you willing to do?
  San Juan Basin Health's four page insert on Climate Change and your health will appear in Monday, April 7 Durango Herald. Free inserts and/or Public Health Week poster are available for your workplace, church or school. Call 247-5702, ext. 1605, or e-mail: jlooney@sjbhd.org.
  Jane Looney is the communications director for the San Juan Basin Health Department.