Climate Change and the Impact on Human Health
Rarely do I use the phrase “a must read”, but the recent release of Enviromedics by Dr. Jay Lemery and Dr. Paul Auerbach represents one of the most important books of 2017. For professionals in government and biomedical careers or for students considering these pathways, Enviromedics should be required reading.
Climate change is generally discussed within the category of environmental or political science. What makes Enviromedics so intriguing is the impact that climate change is already having on human health. Most importantly, the book establishes a compelling framework to categorize and analyze emerging medical issues. From extreme weather to vector-borne diseases to allergens, the comprehensive portrayal of the changing human health landscape paints a picture of existing risk while also prescribing a path forward.
As a non-medical specialist, I found the section of the book entitled “Clear and Present Pathogens” illuminating. The chapters focused on basic issues like air quality and the supply of clean water and food demonstrate with surgical precision the impact of climatic shifts on human health. From discussions of “basics” like bacteria and diarrhea to more complex challenges like cholera and nutrition security, the book shocks and challenges the medical status quo. Lemery and Auerbach acknowledge that there is still debate about climate change, so emphasize the importance of constructive discussions among intelligent people based on the best science available.
As an executive in youth education generally and career planning specifically, this book is a great tool for students looking to plot their pathway to a career in the medical field. As the challenges of the 21st Century impact the patients in the hospitals and emergency rooms across the world, Enviromedics will serve as a critical voice on the present and future of human health. It is highly recommended and is one of the most important books of the first quarter of the 21st Century.