203749 Peak Petroleum and Public Health

Monday, November 9, 2009: 8:30 AM

Howard Frumkin, MD, DrPH , Director, NCEH/ATSDR, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
  
Petroleum is a unique and essential energy source. Global petroleum production is expected to reach a maximum in the near future and to decline thereafter, a phenomenon known as “peak petroleum.” This presentation will review petroleum geology and uses, describe the phenomenon of peak petroleum, and review the scientific literature on the timing of this transition. It will then discuss how peak petroleum may affect public health and health care by reference to four areas: medical supplies and equipment, transportation, energy generation, and food production. Finally, it will suggest strategies for anticipating and preparing for peak petroleum, both general public health preparedness strategies and actions specific to the four expected health system impacts.

Learning Objectives:
1. Define peak petroleum and explain when and why it is expected. 2. List four areas of public health and health care that will be affected by peak petroleum. 3. Identify strategies in preparing for peak petroleum in public health and health care.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a subject matter expert with over 20 years experience and currently Director of the National Center for Environmental Health/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry /Center for Disease Control and Prevention – a public health organization.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

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