Deakin Medical School lecture to explore impact of climate change on chronic disease

The link between the health of the environment and the health of mankind will be explored at Deakin Medical School's Annual Oration on Monday 12 April.

The oration will be delivered by Dr Aaron Bernstein, a paediatrician and member of Harvard Medical School's Center for Health and the Global Environment, which was established in 1996 to promote understanding that our health, and that of our children, depends on the health of the environment.

Dr Bernstein's address, 'Evidence for straw breaking a camel's back: climate change effects upon chronic disease', will be delivered on Monday 12 April at the medical school's new clinical school at Geelong Hospital, starting at 7 pm (refreshments will be served from 6 pm). For further information visit the web sitehttp://www.deakin.edu.au/hmnbs/medicine/

Dr Bernstein will speak about the impact of climate change and loss of biodiversity on chronic disease.

"Humans have thrived on Earth within a very narrow climate groove that has enabled the widespread adoption of agriculture, adequate supply of fresh water, and temperatures that are in general well suited to good health. The trouble with climate change is that it is fast pushing us out of that groove," Dr Bernstein said.

"With our population ageing, and dealing with an ever greater burden of chronic diseases, climate change has the potential to tip the balance of vast swaths of humanity towards greater ill health. Any package of measures to ensure a healthy future for humanity in the 21st century must therefore include aggressive reduction in greenhouse gas emissions."

Dr Bernstein is touring Australia on a speaking tour made possible thanks to the Thomas Foundation Conservation Oration presented in partnership with The Nature Conservancy.