Australian Medical Association

MJA Media Release - Doctors should take the lead in practical steps to reduce the carbon footprints associated with obesity, chronic disease and population growth, according to an article published in the Medical Journal of Australia.

Prof Robyn McDermott, Professor of Public Health at the University of South Australia, writes that ageing, obesity and associated conditions account for the greatest proportion of disability and accelerating health care use, and that the health sector itself has a significant and expanding carbon footprint.

“When we add the increasing costs of health care and the health industry’s carbon footprint to the entirely preventable loss of years of life and wellness caused by physical inactivity, we have a compelling case for specific action led by doctors in four health-related domains,” Prof McDermott said.

AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce
Parliament House, Canberra, Wednesday 9 December 2009

AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, today urged the Australian delegation to the Copenhagen climate talks to convince world leaders to implement plans to deal with the serious threats that climate change poses to human health globally.

Dr Pesce said that the AMA position is that failure to achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions on a global basis is likely to result in significant public health concerns.

The health effects of climate change include increased heat related illness and deaths, increased food and water borne diseases, and changing patterns of diseases.  In addition to their impact on health infrastructure and services, extreme events such as droughts, flooding and storms could be responsible for death and disease.

“It is the AMA’s view that climate change is a significant worldwide threat to human health that requires urgent action,” Dr Pesce said.

“We recognise that human activity has contributed to climate change.

AMA Statement on Climate Change

AMA President, Dr Andrew Pesce, will be available to discuss climate change and health and the AMA’s expectations of the Copenhagen climate talks at 11.00am today, Wednesday 9 December 2009, in the Senate Courtyard, Parliament House, Canberra

The Australian Medical Association has welcomed research commissioned by the Federal Government into the health impacts of climate change, saying the results should help inform a National Strategy for Health and Climate Change.

AMA Vice President, Dr Gary Speck, said present and future health impacts demand a strategic approach from governments, particularly in the development of health infrastructure at all levels.

Human health is ultimately dependent on the health of the planet and its ecosystem. The AMA believes that measures which mitigate climate change will also benefit public health. Reducing greenhouse gases should therefore be seen as a public health priority. At the same time, health systems need to be responsive to a range of health effects associated with both short-term and longer-term impacts on climate change.