Global environmental change: preventive measures to reduce the impact on human health

Awareness of the magnitude of worldwide climate change and theloss of biological diversity that may occur as the result ofpresent human activities is increasing. However, much needsto be done to reverse current trends and prevent unprecedentedglobal environmental changes which are expected to produce irreversibleresults, and to have profound implications for the health ofindividuals. This paper briefly reviews what is known aboutthe global environmental changes that are taking place and theirpredicted impact on human health. Some of the preventive measuresand activities in which public health professionals need toassume leadership roles in the critical years ahead are discussed.Our hope is to enliven a much needed dialogue among health professionalson the crucial issue of environmental survival in which preventionmay be the only viable solution.