Harvard: Global Warming May Spur Public Health Risks

Harvard researchers say increased global warming may bring a spate of public health risks.
 
Paul Epstein, associate director of Harvard's Center for Health and the Global Environment, and leaders of other groups presented findings at a recent briefing, calling for action to curb carbon pollution and mitigate the health effects of global warming.
 
"We expect an increase in hospital admissions for things like pneumonia, chronic lung disease, asthma and other respiratory diseases," said Cecil Wilson, president-elect of the American Medical Association. "Increased heat also increases the risk to people who have other diseases."
 
Kidney stones, malaria, Lyme disease, and depression were also among the ailments forecast to increase with global warming.

Published: December 2, 2009