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Background: Scientific evidence shows that climate change is very likely the product of human behaviour and lifestyle. The effects of climate change on human health are diverse in nature and range from direct effects due to extreme weather events such as heat waves, floods and storms, to indirect effects such as those caused by water and food shortages. Methods: A telephone survey was conducted between January and February 2009, on a stratified representative random sample of the Maltese population over the age of 18 years (N = 310 819). Results: Five hundred and forty-three individuals successfully participated in the survey giving a response rate of 92.7%. The respondent sample was very similar to the target population by gender ( P = 0.977), age (P = 0.767) and district (P = 0.812). The results of the study demonstrate a very strong relationship between the perception of climate change as a threat to health and well-being, support for climate change mitigation policy and a willingness to implement measures to address climate change. Conclusion: The findings of this study show that the perception that climate change may claim lives, cause disease, reduce the standard of living and worsen water shortages, may be the strongest driver behind support for climate change mitigation policy and a willingness to act. It is recommended that, in order to gain more public support, climate change campaigns and risk communication strategies should frame climate change as a threat to human health and general well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background One of the lesser-known comes of hypothyroidsm Is Perchlorate exposure. a by-product of legwork:. Recent; ludic in the Mehra island: showed increased concentrator, of perchlorate in dust fat leading to public concerns about as health effects. This study alms to exanSne the hypothyroidism trends In the resident Maltese population and assess for a ink with perchlorate exposure. Methods A retrospective ecological study using laboratory and population data was carried out to calculate the crude and direct age-standardised incidence rates of hypothymicrom in the resident population. Results Stginercanty lower overall age-standardised incidence rates for hypothyroidism were found In the region of Gozo: however no clearly climemitde geographical pattern of hypothyroidism with clear potential link to perchlorate exposure was found. Concluson The lower hypothyroid incidence rates n Gozo warrant a comparative study to establish whether that deference attributable to differing levels of perchlorate exposure from deferent scale of firework use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mediterranean Basin is undergoing a warming trend with longer and warmer summers, an increase in the frequency and the severity of heat waves, changes in precipitation patterns and a reduction in rainfall amounts. In this unique populated region, which is characterized by significant gaps in the socio-economic levels particularly between the North (Europe) and South (Africa), parallel with population growth and migration, increased water demand and forest fires risk - the vulnerability of the Mediterranean population to human health risks increases significantly. Indeed, climatic changes impact the health of the Mediterranean population directly through extreme heat, drought or storms, or indirectly by changes in water availability, food provision and quality, air pollution and other stressors. The main health effects are related to extreme weather events (including extreme temperatures and floods), changes in the distribution of climate-sensitive diseases and changes in environmental and social conditions. The poorer countries, particularly in North Africa and the Levant, are at highest risk. Climate change affects the vulnerable sectors of the region, including an increasingly older population, with a larger percentage of those with chronic diseases, as well as poor people, which are therefore more susceptible to the effects of extreme temperatures. For those populations, a better surveillance and control systems are especially needed. In view of the climatic projections and the vulnerability of Mediterranean countries, climate change mitigation and adaptation become ever more imperative. It is important that prevention Health Action Plans will be implemented, particularly in those countries that currently have no prevention plans. Most adaptation measures are "win-win situation" from a health perspective, including reducing air pollution or providing shading solutions. Additionally, Mediterranean countries need to enhance cross-border collaboration, as adaptation to many of the health risks requires collaboration across borders and also across the different parts of the basin. • Climate change impacts the health of the Mediterranean population. • The main effects are related to extreme events, VBD and changes in local conditions. • The poorer countries, mainly in North Africa and the Levant, are at highest risk. • Based on projections, mitigation and adaptation become ever more imperative. • Prevention plans related to health should be implemented together with cross-border collaboration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]