Doctors Comment on Climate Change. Why Should You Care?


Anyone with moderate or severe Dry Eye symptoms knows how much the environment influences how their eyes feel each day.

Doctors Comment on Climate Change. Why Should You Care?

Is it cold outside? You’re probably having a bad eye day.

Is it windy? Go out there without eye protection and you’ll probably regret it.

Pollution, fumes, debris in the air, you name it, and we’re all looking for cover somewhere indoors, somewhere safe.

Though we all seem to enjoy some warmth and humidity, look out if the pollen count is high.

So it was interesting to learn what the American College of Physicians (the organization of doctors who practice internal medicine) had to say recently about president Donald Trump’s executive order on climate change. In a nutshell, they don’t like it, because they don’t think it’s good for people.

Doctors Comment on Climate Change

The ACP criticized the president’s executive order noting that it “will have a devastating impact on public health.”

According to a March 28, 2017 ACP press release, Trump’s order directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce the U.S. push on combating air pollution.

“[The] executive order moves us in the wrong direction on this issue,” ACP’s president Nitin S. Damle, MD, MS, MACP, said in the release. “It signals a retreat from our nation’s efforts to curb carbon emissions and address climate change.”

In a 2016 paper, ACP noted the consequences of climate change on public health and the health of individuals. The paper cited increasing rates of respiratory and heat-related illnesses, insect and water-borne diseases, and issues related to behavioral health. ACP had estimated that previous environmental rules reduced mortality and morbidity rates annually: 3,600 fewer deaths, 1,700 fewer heart attacks, and 90,000 fewer asthma attacks.

ACP regretted that less, rather than more, action will be taken to protect seniors, people suffering with chronic illnesses, the poor, and children.

Exacerbating Dry Eye Symptoms

Unfortunately, Dry Eye is one of those chronic conditions. Plus, many of us also suffer from autoimmune conditions. So great. Double whammy.

Even though environmental changes can be slow, it may be prudent to listen when doctors comment on climate change. They may have a point that’s important for those of us who can’t take eye comfort for granted.

Reference

ACP American College of Physicians
ACP Decries Devastating Impact of Climate Change Order
Retrieved from https://www.acponline.org/acp-newsroom/acp-decries-devastating-impact-of-climate-change-order March 30, 2017


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