International Experts Meet to Discuss Health Threats Due to Global Warming

International Experts Meet to Discuss Health Threats Due to Global Warming

June 28, 2007

    KUALA LUMPUR, June 28 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
International experts will meet here from 2 to 5 July to
discuss the threat to health posed by global warming in the
Asia Pacific region. With global mean temperature forecast
to increase by as much as six degrees Celsius by the end of
the century, delegates will be urged to take steps now to
face the problem.

    (Logo:
http://www.xprn.com.cn/xprn/sa/20061102095006-51.jpg )

    A recent study by the World Health Organization (WHO)
estimated that climate change directly or indirectly
contributes to about 77 000 deaths annually in Asia and the
Pacific -- about half of the world total attributed to
climate change

    Dr Shigeru Omi, WHO Regional Director for the Western
Pacific, warned: "We have now reached a critical stage
in which global warming has already seriously impacted lives
and health, and this problem will pose an even greater
threat to mankind in coming decades if we fail to act
now."

    Among the potential effects of global warming would be
the appearance of mosquitoes where they were previously
absent, with the accompanying threat of malaria and dengue
fever.  Some regions might be at risk of reduced rainfall,
causing a shortage of fresh water and introducing the
danger of waterborne diseases.  Millions of people could be
at risk of malnutrition and hunger if arable lands become
unworkable.

    Representatives will also be told that the increasing
frequency of summer heat waves in temperate zones (Europe
in 2003 and Asia in 2004), and typhoons, hurricanes and
floods throughout the world are signs of changing weather
and climate patterns.

    The workshop, which is being organized by WHO Regional
Offices for South-East Asia and the Western Pacific, in
collaboration with WHO headquarters in Geneva, will be
attended by representatives of 14 countries, as well as by
WHO partners in the environmental field.

    The workshop will be held at the Parkroyal Kuala Lumpur
Hotel.  Key findings from this workshop will be shared at
the forthcoming ministerial meeting on environment and
health in Bangkok on 8 and 9 August, attended by Ministers
of Health and Environment from 14 countries in the
South-East and East Asia regions.




    For more information, please contact:

     Dr Hisashi Ogawa
     WHO Regional Adviser in Healthy Settings and
Environment
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]