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The American Thoracic Society (ATS), in collaboration with George Mason University, surveyed international members of the society to assess perceptions, clinical experiences, and preferred policy responses related to global climate change. A recruitment email was sent by the ATS President in October 2015 to 5,013 international members. Subsequently, four reminder emails were sent to nonrespondents. Responses were received from 489 members in 68 countries; the response rate was 9.8%. Half of respondents reported working in countries in Asia (25%) or Europe (25%), with the remainder in South America (18%), North America (Canada and Mexico) (18%), Australia or New Zealand (9%), and Africa (6%). Survey estimate confidence intervals were ± 5% or smaller. A high percentage of international ATS survey respondents judged that climate change is happening (96%), that it is driven by human activity (70%), and that it is relevant to patient care ("a great deal"/"a moderate amount") (80%). A majority of respondents also indicated they are already observing health impacts of climate change among their patients; most commonly as increases in chronic disease severity from air pollution (88%), allergic symptoms from exposure to plants or mold (72%), and severe weather injuries (69%). An even larger majority anticipated seeing these climate-related health impacts in the next two decades. Respondents further indicated that physicians and physician organizations should play an active role in educating patients, the public, and policy makers on the human health effects of climate change. International ATS respondents, like their counterparts in the U.S., observed that human health is already adversely affected by climate change, and support responses to address this situation.

The American Thoracic Society (ATS), in collaboration with George Mason University, surveyed a random sample of ATS members to assess their perceptions of, clinical experiences with, and preferred policy responses to climate change. An e-mail containing an invitation from the ATS President and a link to an online survey was sent to 5,500 randomly selected U.S. members; up to four reminder e-mails were sent to nonrespondents. Responses were received from members in 49 states and the District of Columbia (n = 915); the response rate was 17%. Geographic distribution of respondents mirrored that of the sample. Survey estimates' confidence intervals were ±3.5% or smaller. Results indicate that a large majority of ATS members have concluded that climate change is happening (89%), that it is driven by human activity (68%), and that it is relevant to patient care ("a great deal"/"a moderate amount") (65%). A majority of respondents indicated they were already observing health impacts of climate change among their patients, most commonly as increases in chronic disease severity from air pollution (77%), allergic symptoms from exposure to plants or mold (58%), and severe weather injuries (57%). A larger majority anticipated seeing these climate-related health impacts in the next 2 decades. Respondents indicated that physicians and physician organizations should play an active role in educating patients, the public, and policy makers on the human health effects of climate change. Overall, ATS members are observing that human health is already adversely affected by climate change and support responses to address this situation.

Abstract. The Occupational Health Program (OHP) at the University of Alberta played an important and pioneering role in the specialty of occupational medicine in Canada between 1984 and 1999. Its [...]

Occupational safety and health (OSH) is a multidisciplinary field concerned with the safety, health, and welfare of the workers, their families and communities. It requires teamwork among different OSH professionals like physicians and nurses, engineers and industrial hygienes. This article provide overview for OSH professionals and roadmap for appropriate classification and licensing to ensure assigning the task to the right person to achieve the intended goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. The response of community residents to a perceived cancer excess may include changes in attitude, health-related behavior, and property values. In 1986, a cancer agency conducted a study of cancer incidence (1979 to 1983) in two suburbs of Edmonton, Alberta, and reported elevations on the order of 25% over expected for most sites. Reanalysis of these data several months later revealed an error. Correction brought the rates into line with Alberta as a whole and with other communities surrounding Edmonton. Methods. We used public opinion trends and property value trends (during the period of concern) to study the two communities affected by the allegation of increased cancer risk. Results. A survey of residents found significant differences at the time in health-related behavior and beliefs suggesting increased perception of personal, family, and community risk and modest changes in behavior. Real estate values in one community temporarily lost an average of $4000, or about 5% of total value, compared with a similar, adjacent housing market. Conclusions. The perception of an elevated cancer risk, in the absence of a true risk, may have a substantial negative effect on the affected community, both psychologically and economically. (Am J Public Health. 1993;83:233-239), A community's perception of an excess risk for cancer can have adverse psychological and economic consequences. In 1986, a cancer agency conducting a preliminary study reported that the cancer rate in two adjacent suburbs of Edmonton, Canada was about 25% greater than expected. Later, reanalysis of the data indicated the initial figures were wrong and that the communities were not at a greater risk. A telephone survey of 100 people from each of the affected communities and from another community for comparison gathered information on people's attitudes and perceptions of personal and community risk, health-related behavior and property values. People in the affected communities were more concerned about the safety of their area and perceived an increased risk of health problems. Perception of risks to others was greater than perception of personal risk. Residents of the affected communities were more likely to have considered moving or selling their homes, and real estate values in one community temporarily dropped an average of 5%.

Starting in early December 2016, American scientists and engineers learned about the following actions of the Trump administration: the demand for a list of scientists who attended a conference; a [...]

It is commonplace to observe that science has lost its primacy among some people as the public knowledge that society uses for decision-making. The rigorous application of science and technology [...]

Interpreting science to address social needs is one of Sigma Xi's most challenging functions, and our role in informing public policy, in particular, is growing. We aim to improve and [...]

Researchers, being people, have the frailties of all human beings. Some are tempted to indulge in ad-hominem personal attacks, reputational smears, bullying, name-calling, and defamation. This unpleasant underside of research [...]

Sigma Xi's highly influential Honor in Science is an essential text in scientific freedom and responsibility. I urge every member to read it and to share it widely. You can [...]

Back in 2014, I was asked 'What are the most important scientific issues facing the world and the most important issues facing the scientific community?' I answered as follows and [...]

Historically, plans for response to emergencies have included mostly fire and police agencies. However, most emergencies also have a public health component. Therefore, an all-hazards preparedness approach requires integration of [...]

Human health studies emphasize the link between the human body and the immediate influences upon it. Ecosystem health studies (defined by David Rapport et al., this volume) has, as its primary objective, the relationships and system characteristics of viable ecosystems. As a practical application, ecosystem health studies describe the mechanisms and assesses the potential to threaten or enhance human health. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article discusses the significance of learning disability of French author André Malraux to his work. A brief biography of the author is presented. A Malraux novel starts with a dramatic political event and progresses with discrete action scenes separated by long learned dialogues. It also states that it is possible that the author used his disorder to create a legend.