Climate Change World Health day and BITS Pilani Rajasthan
Released on: April 8, 2008, 5:27 pm
Press Release Author: Dr BR Natarajan
Industry: Environment
Press Release Summary: Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity says WHO (World Health Organization) established on 7 April 1948.
Press Release Body: World Health Day marks the founding of the WHO and is an occasion to raise awareness of key global health issues. Considering that more people are dying from excessive heat than before, changes are occurring in the incidence of vector-borne diseases, and the pattern of natural disasters is altering, the theme chosen for this year is "Protecting Health from the Climate Change" to put health at the centre of the global dialogue about climate change.
Health hazards from climate change are global in nature and diverse ranging from higher risks of extreme weather events to changes in the dynamics of infectious diseases. Many of the leading killer diseases are sensitive to climatic conditions and changing weather patterns impact their incidence and spread.
There are established steps in health and related sectors to reduce the exposure to and the effect of changing climate. For example, controlling disease vectors for malaria and dengue, reducing pollution from transport and efficient land use and water management are well-known and tested measures that can help. Moreover, many of the steps needed to prevent climate change have positive health benefits. For example, increased use of bicycles will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the increase in physical activity from cycling and walking may lead to less obesity and fewer obesity-related illnesses.
In Pilani where Birla Institute of Technology and Science - BITS - is located, rainwater harvesting is a religion and extensive use of bicycles as well as the concept of car pooling is very popular among faculty, students and children.
Prof Ashis K Das formerly WHO Fellow at the Malaria Branch, Center for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia USA and presently Group Leader Biological Sciences at BITS Pilani is spearheading a research project on Systems Biology approach towards understanding severe malaria with special reference to the transcriptome and proteome of the parasite and the host.
Since a brisk morning walk has so many health and stress management benefits which include getting one ready for the day apart from helping one to sleep better at night, BITS Pilani celebrated the World Health Day by organizing a morning walk on Monday April 7, 2008 across length and breadth of the Institute led by the Vice Chancellor Dr LK Maheshwari in which faculty members and spouses, children and students enthusiastically participated.
About BITS Pilani: Birla Institute of Technology and Science ( BITS ) Pilani Rajasthan which is one among the top ranking universities in India today has the reputation of pioneering the online examinations for admissions in 2005 through the pathbreaking BITSAT offers degrees in various disciplines presently at Pilani, Dubai, Goa campuses and in the short future at Hyderabad campus apart from an array of work integrated learning programmes for HRD of a vast spectrum of Indian corporates. The alumni of the Institute are spread across the globe from Australia to America.
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