Perspectives on the public health implications of global climate change and the epidemiology of vector-borne disease

Global climate change is becoming an increasing concern among the public health community. Some researchers believe the earth is rapidly undergoing changes in temperature, sea level, population movement, and extreme weather phenomenon. With these geographic, meteorological, and social changes come increased threats to human health. One of these threats is the spread of vector-borne infectious diseases. The changes mentioned above are believed to contribute to increased arthropod survival, transmission, and habitation. These changes, in turn, lead to increased incidence among neighboring human populations. It is also argued that human action may play more of a role than climate change. This systematic review served to determine whether or not climate change poses a significant risk to human exposure and increased incidence of vector-borne disease. ^

Planning and implementation efficacy as a determinant of health risk communication outcomes: Case studies of the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS)

This study was conducted under the auspices of the Subcommittee on Risk Communication and Education of the Committee to Coordinate Environmental Health and Related Programs (CCEHRP) to determine how Public Health Service (PHS) agencies are communicating information about health risk, what factors contributed to effective communication efforts, and what specific principles, strategies, and practices best promote more effective health risk communication outcomes.^ Member agencies of the Subcommittee submitted examples of health risk communication activities or decisions they perceived to be effective and some examples of cases they thought had not been as effective as desired. Of the 10 case studies received, 7 were submitted as examples of effective health risk communication, and 3, as examples of less effective communication.^ Information contained in the 10 case studies describing the respective agencies' health risk communication strategies and practices was compared with EPA's Seven Cardinal Rules of Risk Communication, since similar rules were not found in any PHS agency. EPA's rules are: (1) Accept and involve the public as a legitimate partner. (2) Plan carefully and evaluate your efforts. (3) Listen to the public's specific concerns. (4) Be honest, frank, and open. (5) Coordinate and collaborate with other credible sources. (6) Meet the needs of the media. (7) Speak clearly and with compassion.^ On the basis of case studies analysis, the Subcommittee, in their attempts to design and implement effective health risk communication campaigns, identified a number of areas for improvement among the agencies. First, PHS agencies should consider developing a focus specific to health risk communication (i.e., office or specialty resource). Second, create a set of generally accepted practices and guidelines for effective implementation and evaluation of PHS health risk communication activities and products. Third, organize interagency initiatives aimed at increasing awareness and visibility of health risk communication issues and trends within and between PHS agencies.^ PHS agencies identified some specific implementation strategies the CCEHRP might consider pursuing to address the major recommendations. Implementation strategies common to PHS agencies emerged in the following five areas: (1) program development, (2) building partnerships, (3) developing training, (4) expanding information technologies, and (5) conducting research and evaluation. ^

Pictorial keys to arthropods, reptiles, birds and mammals of public health significance.

Mode of access: Internet.

Public Health Service publication.

Mode of access: Internet.

Hazardous substances & public health : a publication of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

Title from caption.

Grade "A" pasteurized milk ordinance; 1965 recommendations of the United States Public Health Service.

1953 ed., issued by Public Health Service, has title: Milk ordinance and code.

Public health assessment, Kessman/Cross County Landfill, Patterson, Putnam County, New York /

"CERCLIS no. NYD980528491."

Public health assessment, 150 Fulton Avenue/Garden City Park industrial area, Garden City Park, Nassau County, New York /

"July 8, 2002; CERCLIS No. NYD000110247."

Public health assessment, Huntington Landfill, Town of Huntington, Suffolk County, New York /

"Cerclis No. NYD980506844."

Public health assessment, Al Turi Landfill, town of Goshen, Orange County, New York /

"Prepared under a Cooperative Agreement with U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Public Health Service, Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry."

Public health assessment, Cayuga County groundwater contamination, towns of Aurelius, Fleming, & Springport, Cayuga County, New York /

"June 11, 2003; CERCLIS No. NYN000204289."

Public health assessment, Hudson Technologies, village of Hillburn, Rockland County, New York /

"CERCLIS No. NY0001392463."

Public health assessment, Old Roosevelt Field Contaminated Groundwater Area, town of Hempstead, Nassau County, New York /

"CERCLIS number NYSFN0204234."

Public health assessment, Cayuga County groundwater contamination, towns of Aurelius, Fleming & Springport, Cayuga County, New York /

"September 30, 2002; CERCLIS Number NYN000204289."

Public health assessment, Liberty Industrial Finishing Corporation, Farmingdale, Nassau County, New York /

"March 22, 2005; CERCLIS no. NYD000337295."