Over the past year, the American public’s concern about climate change has reached an unparalleled level. The media reports new scientific findings on a daily basis and local, state and national policy-makers have made it clear that serious real climate effects are a matter of when, not if.

The public health community can help make the connection between the way we lead our lives, our impact on the planet and the planet’s impact on our health. By highlighting these links, we can help Americans make choices and lead lifestyles that are healthy for them, their families, their communities and the climate. Doing so will help communities prepare to manage and lessen the impacts of climate change.

Since 1996, APHA has organized National Public Health Week and developed campaigns to educate the public, policy-makers, and public health professionals about issues important to improving the public’s health. By making climate change the theme for 2008, the public health community is changing how society addresses this unprecedented challenge.