We invite you to a seminar entitled:

"Climate changes and natural disasters. How prepared are we?"

On Thursday, December 15, 2011 from 16:00 to 20:00 in the Auditorium of the Foundation for Biomedical Research Academy of Athens at 4 Soranos and Ephesus Street, Papagou.

The seminar is organized by the PSP of the Medical School of Athens:

• International Health Crisis Management

• Environment and Health: Management of Environmental Affairs That Affect Health

• Pediatric Nursing: Clinical and Research

• Stress Control and Health Promotion

This is an event dedicated to the memory of Wangari Maathai (1940-2011) who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2004, "for her contribution to sustainable development, democracy and peace."

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time and is directly related to public health and the medical profession. The ongoing uncontrolled emissions of greenhouse gases, the increase in worldwide tempratures, the growth in number and intensity of natural disasters, the apathy of developed nations and the burden boren by the developing world has dramatically hindered every effort to mitigate the problem.

The scientific community is conscious of its responsibility to sound the alarm: "How prepared are we?”. They have noted the adverse effects of climate change and natural disasters on worldwide health. They warn of the worsening quality of life, the adverse effects of stress on health, food degradation and the skyrocketing cost of health services.

Climate change, natural disasters and their impact on health is a new scientific area that needs investigation, organization and dissemination of information. Moreover, there is much work to be done regarding the documentation of the effects of climate change on health and the development of tools for the effective management of problems and crises that arise. The seminar aims at informing and raising awareness, documenting the scientific effects of climate change and natural disasters on health.

Speakers at the conference:

• Assistant Professor of Athens Medical School, T. Rosenberg – Greetings: “Climate Changes and Health”

• Professor of Medicine School of Athens, G. Chrousos "Controlling Stress and Health Promotion"

• Prof. Athens Medical School, Ch-Tzoumaka Bakoula "Do you protect Children at Home from Climate Change?"

• Prof. P. Nikolopoulou, Stamati “Climate Change-Impact on Health."

And the keynote speaker:

• Dr. Annie J. Sasco, Directrice de Recherche Inserm: “Epidemiological methods used to analyse associations between climate change and health outcomes.”