Oral

Global warming poses the most significant threat to population health and quality of life in the history of the world. Floods, droughts, malnutrition and starvation, forced migrations, heat-related illness, contaminated air and water, widespread vector-borne and respiratory diseases, and civil conflicts are just some of the significant health problems that are anticipated as the world warms. In this session, panel members will discuss the public health consequences of global warming and explore how health educators can contribute to finding solutions and implementing change. Examples of environmental action by health educators will be highlighted. Panelists will also explore how the health education and promotion profession must rise to the challenge of global warming by assuring that the health education workforce has the knowledge and skills they will need.

Session Objectives: At the end of the session, the participant will be able to: (1) describe at least 5 threats to public health posed by global warming; (2) identify roles for health educators in prevention and protection against those threats; (3) discuss what the health education profession must do to prepare health educators to play an active role in responding to global warming.

CE Credits: CME, Health Education (CHES), Nursing