Roger A Rosenblatt February 12, 2004

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Roger A Rosenblatt February 12, 2004
Environmental Health and the Health Professional
Ecological Change and Human Health
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The first step Making the diagnosis
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The Pathophysiology of the Global Health Crisis

• Fever - Global Warming
• Asthma - Environmental Degradation
• Alopecia - Deforestation
• Thrush - Loss of Biodiversity
• Scabies - Overpopulation

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Symptom FeverDiagnosis Global Warming
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Global Warming - 1860-2000
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World Carbon Emissions from FossilFuel Burning,
by Economic Region, 1950-94
Developing Countries
Former Eastern Bloc
Industrial Countries
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Global Climate Change
The Impact on Human Health
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Symptom AsthmaDiagnosis Air Pollution
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Symptom AlopeciaDiagnosis Deforestation
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Deforestation Example
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Symptom ThrushDiagnosis Loss of Biodiversity
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Extinctions of birds and animals1600 to
present(Audubon society, 1998)
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Mass ExtinctionsLoss of Biodiversity
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The Sixth Extinction

• 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

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Symptom ScabiesDiagnosis Overpopulation
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World Population Growth
You Are Here (gradual economic decline)
overpopulation begins (unsustainability)
massive environmental destruction and loss of
species beings
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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)
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There Is a Strong Association Between Mothers
Age at First Birth and Subsequent Poverty
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E MC2orEnvironmental Impact M(Population)
xC(Consumption) squared
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What can we do?

• 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

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Adopting a Broader Perspectivein Public Health

• The Biological Approach
• The Biopsychosocial context
• The Ecobiopsychosocial imperative

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Most Pregnancies Are Unintended
mistimed pregnancies resulting in live births
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unwanted pregnancies resulting in live births
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unwanted and mistimed pregnancies ending in
abortion
intended pregnancies resulting in live births
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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
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Sustainable Economic Development Some roles for
the health professional

• Use resources in a sustainable manner
• Avoid polluting our natural resources
• Address occupational and environmental diseases
• Serve as role models for those who follow

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Preserve Natural Habitats

• Create parks and ecological reserves
• Safeguard rare and endangered species
• Protect and create forests
• Support ecological restoration efforts

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Next Steps

• Work to broaden the curriculum
• Respond to NIHs Road-Map Initiative
• Work with other complementary groups on campus
• Think about how a new discipline of Population
  and Ecosystem Health might evolve

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