American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Volume 36, Issue 2 , Pages 182-187, February 2009

Health Professionals' Roles in Animal Agriculture, Climate Change, and Human Health

  • Aysha Z. Akhtar, MD, MPH

      Affiliations

    • The Washington Center for Clinical Research, Washington DC
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress correspondence and reprint requests to: Aysha Z. Akhtar, MD, MPH, The Washington Center for Clinical Research, 5100 Wisconsin Avenue NW, Suite 400, Washington DC 20016
    • ,
  • Michael Greger, MD

      Affiliations

    • Humane Society of the United States, Washington, DC
    • ,
  • Hope Ferdowsian, MD

      Affiliations

    • The Washington Center for Clinical Research, Washington DC
    • ,
  • Erica Frank, MD

      Affiliations

    • School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, British Columbia, Canada

Abstract

What we eat is rapidly becoming an issue of global concern. With food shortages, the rise in chronic disease, and global warming, the impact of our dietary choices seems more relevant today than ever. Globally, a transition is taking place toward greater consumption of foods of animal origin, in lieu of plant-based diets. With this transition comes intensification of animal agriculture that in turn is associated with the emergence of zoonotic infectious diseases, environmental degradation, and the epidemics of chronic disease and obesity. Health professionals should be aware of these trends and consider them as they promote healthier and more environmentally-sustainable diets.

 

PII: S0749-3797(08)00898-2

doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2008.09.043

American Journal of Preventive Medicine
Volume 36, Issue 2 , Pages 182-187, February 2009