Peak oil: will it be public health's greatest challenge?

Hanlon, P. and McCartney, G. (2008) Peak oil: will it be public health's greatest challenge? Public Health, 122(7), pp. 647-652. (doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2008.03.020)

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Abstract

The health of populations is determined more by the social and economic determinants of health than by changes in technology, health services or short-term policy interventions. In the near future, there is likely to be a significant shortfall in energy supply, resulting in high energy prices and a reversal of many of the aspects of globalization that are currently taken for granted. If this happens, economic recession and restructuring could have a negative impact on health, not dissimilar to that experienced by the former Soviet Union when it attempted a rapid change in its economy. There is, however, the potential, through economic planning and sustainable development, to reduce the adverse effects of this change and use this opportunity to impact on a range of diseases which are, at least in part, caused by overconsumption, inequality and loss of community.

Item Type:Articles
Keywords:Peak oil; Climate change; Overconsumption; Obesity; Inequality; Well-being
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Hanlon, Professor Phil
Authors: Hanlon, P., and McCartney, G.
Subjects:R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine
H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences
Journal Name:Public Health
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0033-3506
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2008 Elsevier
First Published:First published in Public Health 122(7):647-652
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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