Climate of Confusion: The Public's Health

The matter of Climate control has intensified recently with the Pope's entry into the fray. Though it can be argued that the Pope is outside his realm of knowledge when addressing scientific matters, there is no denying that the Pope's encyclical points to man as a destructive force that is negatively impacting the many delicate balances that exist in nature. Though the Pope concedes that other factors may be at play as well, he clearly places blame on mankind. Very likely, he will articulate this blame when he addresses our US Congress in September of this year.

Now that the Papal spotlight is on Congress, politicians are all but forced to weigh in on matters pertaining to global emmissions, carbon credits, rain forest maintenance, and so forth. As the political rancoring ensues, there will be much talk of man-made causes versus natural causes that impact our climate. I'll leave that debate to scientists and politicians for the moment.

My focus entails examination of the Climate's impact on the Health of the Public. Regardless of how Ozone depletion may occur, it's effects regarding the increased incidence of adverse health outcomes must be resolved. Yes, I strongly support saving the Everglades. I also strongly support saving lives from preventable conditions such as skin cancer, asthma, and malnutrition. I call upon all Public Health leaders to resist the media driven tendency to place blame on man or nature; but rather, we must unite our efforts to promote Health Promotion and Disease Prevention in the context of what I term the "Climate of Confusion" regarding environmental factors and our collective health.

With the entry of former Florida Governor Jeb Bush into the 2016 Presidential field along with others including Hillary Clinton, there will be much room for debate as to the causation, prevention, and remedy of Climate issues. For now, I set aside my own political "hat" and serve as a trained and concerned member of the community who demands more emphasis on the Public's Health within the arena of Climate debate.

Sincerely,

Marion D. Thorpe, Jr. MD, MPH