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National Public Health Week April 7 - 13, ''Climate Change: Our Health in the Balance''

There is a direct connection between climate change and the health of our nation today. Yet, few people are aware of the very real consequences of climate change on the health of our communities, our families, and our children.

In observance of National Public Health Week April 7 - 13, 2008, with the theme Climate Change: Our Health in the Balance, the Oklahoma Public Health Association (OPHA) asks all Oklahomans to pledge to make small changes in our daily lives as a first step toward improving the health of the climate, our communities, our families, and ourselves. The American Public Health Association (APHA) has unveiled its first-ever blueprint for combating the health impacts of climate change, representing the culmination of a process involving some of the nation's leading public health and climate change experts. The blueprint can be found at: http://www.nphw.org/nphw08/NPHW%202008%20Blueprint.pdf.

OPHA encourages Oklahomans to begin a life-long commitment to a healthy climate and a healthy future and consider a pledge to be prepared, travel differently, eat differently, and green their work and home. Specifically, OPHA recommends families prepare for climate change-related emergencies by creating an ''Emergency Preparedness Kit,'' and becoming informed about the health impacts of climate change and regional climate change issues facing our community. Also consider leaving the car at home when possible and use public transportation, carpool, walk, and bike or telecommute. OPHA encourages people to eat less meat and buy local produce from our community farmers market. At work and school, it is recommended to use recycled paper, print less, use energy saving computer settings and green our office and at home we should seal and insulate our homes, reduce, reuse, recycle and use water efficiently.

According to Charlotte New, OPHA Executive Director, ''Many of these recommendations also follow Gov. Brad Henry's Strong and Healthy Oklahoma Initiative to eat better, move more, and be tobacco free where we live, where we work and where we learn.'' OPHA hopes to promote progress by emphasizing preparedness, prevention, research, partnerships and policy found in the blueprint.

OPHA recommends the public consider taking the Healthy Climate Pledge found at http://www.nphw.org/nphw08/08_pg_tools_pledge.htm and start taking steps to improve your health, the health of your family, your community, and your world.