Health Professionals’ Roles in Animal Agriculture, Climate Change, and Human Health

Authors

Aysha Z. Akhtar, The Washington Center for Clinical ResearchFollow
Michael Greger, The Humane Society of the United StatesFollow
Hope Ferdowsian, The Humane Society of the United StatesFollow
Erica Frank, University of British Columbia

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2-2009

Abstract

What we eat is rapidly becoming an issue of global concern. With food shortages, the rise in chronic disease, and global warming, the impact of our dietary choices seems more relevant today than ever. Globally, a transition is taking place toward greater consumption of foods of animal origin, in lieu of plantbased diets. With this transition comes intensification of animal agriculture that in turn is associated with the emergence of zoonotic infectious diseases, environmental degradation, and the epidemics of chronic disease and obesity. Health professionals should be aware of these trends and consider them as they promote healthier and more environmentally-sustainable diets.

Comments

In compliance with the publisher’s copyright and archiving policies, this is a post-print version of the document. Post-print materials contain the same content as their final edited versions, but are not formatted according to the layout of the published book or journal.

Recommended Citation

Akhtar, A. Z., Greger, M., Ferdowsian, H., & Frank, E. (2009). Health professionals' roles in animal agriculture, climate change, and human health. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 36(2), 182-187.