Post on 23-Jan-2016
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www.carbonaddict.org
Carbon DependenceA public health challenge
Carbon Dependence
Definition*
“a cluster of physiological, behavioural, and cognitive phenomena in which the use of carbon-based fuels takes on a
much higher priority for a given individual than other behaviours that
once had greater value”.*In accordance with ICD-10
Carbon Dependence
Epidemiology
• Early case reports date back to the 19th century, with prevalence rising exponentially in the last 50 years
• Now reached epidemic proportions in the UK – affecting almost 100% of the population
• Fears of global pandemic
Aetiology
• No genetic influences identified
• Environmental factors important – e.g. out-of-town shopping
A carbon-dependent society?…
…What’s wrong with that?
Early Complications• Reduced exercise tolerance
– fossil fuel use is replacing physical activity in daily living
negative impacts on cardiovascular and psychological health
• Anxiety, stress
– physical activity has psycho-protective effects, so doing less of it has negative impacts on mental health
- dissatisfaction
• Respiratory symptoms
- asthma and allergies. More time spent in natural environments could reduce the risk of these complications.
Late Complications
• Obesity and diabetes– due to high fat diet and inactivity
• Cardiovascular disease – high salt and fat diet, and inactivity
• Colorectal cancer – correlates with high meat intake
• Falls – inactivity low muscle mass, falls due to SE of medication
• Fuel poverty – using more fuel costs money (human power is free)
• Social isolation – interaction via facebook? TV entertainment?
Climate toxicity
• Already responsible for many deaths worldwide: malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoeal disease (WHO)
• Severity not related to intensity of same individual’s carbon addiction
Treatment?
Medical Intervention
• Medical interventions for symptoms are carbon intensive* – risk of increasing carbon dependence
• Psychosocial techniques? Alternative therapies..?
*See NHS Carbon Emissions Modelling 2008
Prevention – better than cure?
Alternative prescriptions: Behaviour
• Active travel and BTCV green gyms
• Diet – gradual meat and processed food reduction; exposure to local markets
• Occupational therapy – e.g. growing schemes, tea-making (attention to non over-filling of kettle),
Public health: an environment for healthy living
• Natural / green spaces
– proven therapeutic value in depression, enhancing recovery after surgery, etc.
- Protective against urban heat island, & in flood management; Absorb CO2
• Built environment
– to promote active travel* & social cohesion
*NICE guidance available on creation of physical environments that support physical activity
Addressing root causes: climate change
“Housing improvement programmes benefit almost all carbon addicts, but particularly the elderly, living alone, those with cardiovascular or respiratory disease”
• HOME INSULATION
• ENERGY & MONEY SAVING
• Equipment on standby
• Inefficient devices
• Overfilling the kettle
Prognosis
• Recent advances have transformed outcome in what was previously universally disabling disease.
• With help of multidisciplinary team, addicts may even achieve full recovery.
Discussion
www.carbonaddict.org
For a comprehensive, evidence-based guide to medical management of carbon dependence:
www.CarbonAddict.org
Carbon Addict is an opensource project of The Climate Connection and The Campaign for Greener Healthcare.
The illustrations are by www.worldofinferiors.co.uk and are licensed under a
Creative Commons License.