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Climate change and our health

United Nations Photo
The Collins Glacier in Antarctica in 2007.

"Take Care" returns with a broadcast examining climate change and it's impact on our health. Global warming is changing our planet -- the temperature, our seasons, agriculture and more -- but what kind of effect does climate change have on our health? In this episode, we ask how climate change is influencing our physical and mental health.

We start with a discussion that clarifies the science and dispels myths surrounding climate change and its impact on the human population. Dr. Jay Lemery is a physician and associate professor of emergency medicine at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Lemery is also co-author of the book "Enviromedics: The Impact of Climate Change on Human Health." He joins us to discuss the impacts of climate change on our health.

Climate change reports can be anxiety inducing. It's difficult to picture the world changing dramatically over time. Our second interview covers how our mental health can suffer as a result of global warming. Dr. Lise Van Susteren joins us with more. She’s a general and forensic psychiatrist and co-founder of The Climate Psychiatry Alliance.

A multinational commission is studying the relationship between climate change, obesity and hunger. They recently recommended that these crises be tackled together. We’ll talk more about the relationship between the three and what can be done with Marlene Schwartz, director of the Rudd Center for Obesity and Food Policy at the University of Connecticut.

Tom Magnarelli brings us a report on how the spread of harmful algal blooms can cause adverse health effects.

And for the latest in health, a new report in the New England Journal of Medicine suggests that previous estimates of the death toll associated with climate change could be conservative. Dr. Caren Solomon joins us with details of the report (she wrote an accompanying editorial).

Join us Sunday, April 14 at 7 p.m. and Friday, April 19 at 1 p.m.