Medical groups call for action on climate change

A group of 74 medical and public health organizations yesterday called for U.S. leaders to take action on climate change to prevent its negative effects on health and health inequities. The group — which includes the American Medical Association, the American Public Health Association, and others — called climate change “the greatest public health challenge of the 21st century,” and outlined 10 priority actions to reduce climate change, including emphasizing the need for active transportation (walking, biking, and taking public transit) to not only drive down carbon emissions but to also improve people’s health. Emphasizing the need for equity in climate action, the group also called for leaders to engage with communities that are vulnerable to both climate change and adverse health effects.