The NPHS has recently responded to the Welsh Assembly Government’s consultation on its proposed Climate Change Strategy for Wales.

In response to the draft strategy, the NPHS expressed concern that there was no health-specific chapter, despite the potential for climate change effects to significantly impact on public health.

 

Some predicted effects of climate change, particularly extreme weather events such as flooding, heatwaves and windstorms, may affect health directly.

 

Other public health consequences may be less direct, and include the potential for an increased spread of infectious diseases, higher levels of air pollution, problems with food supply and water shortages.

 

The response emphasised that in order to tackle the predicted effects of climate change, stakeholders should agree and co-ordinate a programme of multi-agency adaptation and mitigation action as soon as possible

 

The NPHS response also commented on the need for public sector organisations to minimise waste and to reduce carbon emissions as far as possible. All public sector organisations should have carbon reduction plans.

 

The NPHS also recognises its role in influencing planning and design arrangements for new retail, business, public service and leisure developments, so that they are located in areas well-served by public transport and are of an appropriate design.

 

The NPHS is familiar with the potential impacts associated with climate change, and has already been involved in developing the Heatwave Plan for Wales.  In addition, the NPHS is involved in work on the annual Sun Smart Campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of sun exposure, and provides public health advice on incidents and initiatives involving flooding, water quality, bathing water quality and new infectious disease threats.

 

The NPHS’s response to the consultation can be found at: Climate Change Strategy: Programme of Action consultation-NPHS Response [Word, 965KB]

 

More information on the NPHS’s environmental public health work can be found at: http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sites3/page.cfm?orgid=457&pid=28457