Health Department Encourages Individuals to Take Action on Climate Change

Galesburg, IL – April 6 - 12, 2008 marks National Public Health Week, an opportunity for the public, policy makers, and practitioners to raise awareness regarding public health issues.  The theme of National Public Health Week 2008 is “Climate Chance: Our Health in the Balance.”

As part of this year’s activities, the Knox County Health Department is encouraging individuals to take steps towards improving individual behaviors in five important ways for a healthier climate. “The Health Department is encouraging individuals throughout Knox County to commit to changes in their own lives that not only mean a healthier climate, but have the added benefit of making them healthier as well,” states Carrie Neff Andrews, Director of Health Education and Promotion for the Knox County Health Department. “People need to know that they can make choices and lead lifestyles that are healthy for them, their communities and the climate.” Some of those choices include:

• Be Prepared. Inform yourself about the health impacts of climate change and regional climate change issues facing your community and take action to prepare for possible disasters
• Travel Differently. Leave the car at home one day, and take public transportation instead. Walk or bike – if you need to drive, carpool – and, if you can, telecommute.
• Eat Differently. Buy food from a community farmer’s market and that doesn’t travel across the country to get your supermarket shelves. Eat more vegetables and less meat.
• Green Your Work. Use recycled paper if you don’t already, and print less often and on both sides of the paper. Set your computer to energy-saver mode and buy eco-friendly office furniture.
• Green Your Home. Insulate your home so that energy isn’t literally going out the window. Reduce your use of wasteful products, reuse or recycle the products you do use and conserve water

Following these five recommended activities will begin to make a difference for the planet and our health. If action is not taken, the Midwest may experience extreme temperatures that would mean more heat stress and heatstroke, particularly among the poor and the elderly, and could have a significant impact on food and crop production.

For more information on National Public Health Week, or how to take action against climate change, visit the Knox County Health Department’s webpage, www.knoxcountyhealth.org.