U.S. Army -- climate change will mean more health challenges for soldiers

WASHINGTON — Climate change might be the most significant threat facing the Army’s health readiness in the future, one Army science adviser said.

Dr. Steven Cersovsky spoke during the Association of the U.S. Army’s “Hot Topics” forum on health readiness in Arlington, Va., Sept. 22. He serves as science advisor for the Army Public Health Center (Provisional) at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.

“We must understand what is coming and how these changes will affect our Army,” Cersovsky said. “And we must begin adapting now.”

More heat-related injuries will be among the most obvious problems coming with global warming, Cersovsky said.
“I would also argue that we already have an unacceptably high level of heat injuries in our formations,” he said.

Operating safely in the extreme environments of the future will require engineering solutions, materiel and possibly pharmaceuticals, Cersovsky said.

Air quality will worsen with climate change, he said, including an increase in particulate matter such as dust and pollen, and the ozone layer may be affected. This will cause an increase in respiratory problems.

New medical countermeasures will be necessary, he said, like vaccines and medicines.

Behavioral health problems will also increase, he said, caused by the high levels of stress associated with any disaster — both catastrophic disasters and “slow-moving” ones like drought.

Ben_Reilly wrote:

WASHINGTON — Climate change might be the most significant threat facing the Army’s health readiness in the future, one Army science adviser said.

Dr. Steven Cersovsky spoke during the Association of the U.S. Army’s “Hot Topics” forum on health readiness in Arlington, Va., Sept. 22. He serves as science advisor for the Army Public Health Center (Provisional) at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.

“We must understand what is coming and how these changes will affect our Army,” Cersovsky said. “And we must begin adapting now.”

More heat-related injuries will be among the most obvious problems coming with global warming, Cersovsky said.
“I would also argue that we already have an unacceptably high level of heat injuries in our formations,” he said.

Operating safely in the extreme environments of the future will require engineering solutions, materiel and possibly pharmaceuticals, Cersovsky said.

Air quality will worsen with climate change, he said, including an increase in particulate matter such as dust and pollen, and the ozone layer may be affected. This will cause an increase in respiratory problems.

New medical countermeasures will be necessary, he said, like vaccines and medicines.

Behavioral health problems will also increase, he said, caused by the high levels of stress associated with any disaster — both catastrophic disasters and “slow-moving” ones like drought.

http://www.ftleavenworthlamp.com/article/20150924/NEWS/150929737/1001/NEWS#sthash.MNkLcmgl.dpuf

Shady wrote:

Ben_Reilly wrote:

WASHINGTON — Climate change might be the most significant threat facing the Army’s health readiness in the future, one Army science adviser said.

Dr. Steven Cersovsky spoke during the Association of the U.S. Army’s “Hot Topics” forum on health readiness in Arlington, Va., Sept. 22. He serves as science advisor for the Army Public Health Center (Provisional) at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.

“We must understand what is coming and how these changes will affect our Army,” Cersovsky said. “And we must begin adapting now.”

More heat-related injuries will be among the most obvious problems coming with global warming, Cersovsky said.
“I would also argue that we already have an unacceptably high level of heat injuries in our formations,” he said.

Operating safely in the extreme environments of the future will require engineering solutions, materiel and possibly pharmaceuticals, Cersovsky said.

Air quality will worsen with climate change, he said, including an increase in particulate matter such as dust and pollen, and the ozone layer may be affected. This will cause an increase in respiratory problems.

New medical countermeasures will be necessary, he said, like vaccines and medicines.

Behavioral health problems will also increase, he said, caused by the high levels of stress associated with any disaster — both catastrophic disasters and “slow-moving” ones like drought.

http://www.ftleavenworthlamp.com/article/20150924/NEWS/150929737/1001/NEWS#sthash.MNkLcmgl.dpuf

Have no fear Ben as it won't affect the US soldiers because they'll be tucked up nice & safe in their air conditioned Humvee's.