UK Health Report 2009

Today, the UK Department of Health has released the Annual Report of the Chief Medical Officer 2009. Surprisingly, the health related report stresses the relationship between climate change and health. This is a rather noteworthy emphasis, as the national report emphasizes both the negative impact on the developing world AND the need to reduce the carbon footprint of the UK public health sector. But is walking on foot and travelling more by bicyle really enough?

"Climate change and health are inextricably linked. Climate change damages global health in many ways. For example, drought caused by climate change harms crop growth, and therefore causes malnutrition. Drought also threatens the improvements in clean water supply that are being made in many less developed countries. Worldwide, 5.5 million years of healthy life are already lost annually because of climate change."

There are a number of fortuitous opportunities to slow climate change whilst also improving health. In his report, Sir Liam recommends that national targets should be set to double travel on foot and to increase travel by bicycle eight-fold. This will reduce obesity, diabetes and heart disease significantly, whilst also slowing climate change. The NHS also has an important role to play, as it has the greatest carbon footprint of any public sector organisation in Europe. It must take opportunities to reduce its carbon emissions whilst also enhancing service and efficiency."