07.04.08
World Health Day 2008: WHO experts call for health systems to play a greater role in population’s protection from climate change
7 April 2008. Kyiv – Copenhagen. – In 2008 World Health Day is observed under the motto of protecting health from climate change. Directly and indirectly, climate change profoundly affects health, leading to a substantial burden on health systems.
While climate change has largely been framed in terms of environmental and economic concerns, experts are calling for a greater role for health systems in dealing with its immediate and future health consequences.
“Climate change puts our health at risk and, if current trends continue, future generations will have to bear the consequences,” says Dr Marc Danzon, WHO Regional Director for Europe. “Through stronger health systems, the global community will be better prepared to cope with climate-related health challenges.” No country will be spared.
Over 1000 extreme weather events hit the WHO European Region in the last three decades. Climate change increases the frequency and severity of these events. In Ukraine among the most widespread diseases connected with the environmental influence WHO experts name heart diseases, diarrhea, lung cancer and other oncology diseases, respiratory infections and asthma, and traumas of different etiology.
WHO Experts state that approximate amount of deaths affected by environment in Ukraine is 155.230 per year, while in Poland it’s 66.113 per year, and in Russian Federation 493.116 per year. It is also noted that the level of burden that could be prevented in Ukraine is 19%, for Switzerland, Cyprus, Israel it’s 13% (the lowest figure) and for Russian Federation and Kazakhstan – 20% (the highest figure).
In order to maximally improve the society’s awareness and also to determine the directions of work for the protection of population’s health from unfavorable results of climate change, many events are taking place in different countries with the support of WHO.
World Health Day 2008 in Ukraine In Ukraine on 7-8 April 2008 International conference in National medical O. Bohomolets University is taking place, it is dedicated to the World Health Day 2008 and 60th Anniversary of World Halth Organization. The key speakers of the opening and plenary sessions were Minister of Health of Ukraine Vasyl KNYAZEVYCH, of World Health Organization Country office in Ukraine Igor POKANEVYCH, Rector of the National Medical University after O.Bogomolets Vitaliy MOSKALENKO, President of the National Medical Sciences Academy of Ukraine Oleksandr VOZIANOV, Agis TSOUROS, Head of Unit, Noncommunicable Diseases and Environment, WHO Regional Office for Europe, and also representatives of Ministry of Emergency situations of Ukraine, Ministry of Environment Protection of Ukraine, scientists from USA, France, Latvia, Russian Federation and Belarus.
Among the main conference topics are: health protection from climate change and modern strategies of improving health system, tendencies of population health and fighting infectious diseases, demographical problems and aging of population, first medical assistance, socially dangerous infectious diseases, management and financing of health system, etc.
Also, a Ukrainina national Olympiad for school students is taking place in the Univeristy. It is called “Modern medicine and health management” and gathered together around 50 school students from all over Ukraine
World Health Day 2008 in the WHO European Region On World Health Day, the WHO Regional Office for Europe will release a new publication to draw decision-makers’ attention to convincing evidence of climate-related health threats and why and how they should be urgently addressed. Protecting health in Europe from climate change describes current and projected health effects and the challenges they present to health systems in the European Region. It provides practical guidance on action by individuals and countries. More information: http://www.euro.who.int/World-Health-Day-2008. Health systems’ role in protecting health from climate change Climate-related health effects put additional pressure on health systems, which will require substantial strengthening to address the extra burden of disease. While their capacity varies greatly across the Region, all systems can take a number of common actions to reinforce the response: put health concerns high on the climate-change agenda, implement strategies to limit health effects, advocate action by other sectors that will benefit health and lead by example. Many of the projected health effects can be controlled through well-known health-system interventions, including disease surveillance, disaster preparedness and primary health care. Health professionals are at the front line in protecting health from climate change; they should receive appropriate training and skill development, so that they are prepared to cope with, for example, new patterns of infectious diseases, and the symptoms and treatments of heat-related diseases. The provision of accurate and timely information would help decision-makers and citizens to take proper action. Health systems are best placed to act as advocates with sectors where reducing emissions can lead to co-benefits for health.
For example, promoting a shift towards walking and cycling as means of transport can lower emissions of carbon, air pollutants and noise, while providing immediate opportunities to increase physical activity and reduce traffic-related injuries. Finally, health systems can set an example by reducing emissions of greenhouse gases from their activities and facilities.
“There are numerous good examples throughout the Region of health systems helping to tackle climate-related health problems. This year, World Health Day provides an opportunity to share best practices and to place these important issues at the heart of local, national and international dialogue, policies and actions,” concludes Dr Nata Menabde, Deputy Regional Director, WHO Regional Office for Europe. “While there is no doubt of the reality of climate change, health systems can do a lot to reduce the magnitude of its health consequences.
World Health Organization is a specialized UN Institution with an important mission of solving international health issues. Organization consists of 192 country-members. WHO headquarters are situated in Geneva. The Statute of World Health Organization entered in force on 7 April 1984 – this is the day when every year World Health Day is being observed. www.who.int
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