On Monday, the American Public Health Association (APHA)--a nationwide organization of public health officials--launched a new effort aimed at addressing the public health impacts of global warming. The plan is designed to prepare health officials to be able to better deal with issues relating to global warming. In response, the organization has made global warming the focus of its National Public Health Week and is encouraging public health organizations to undertake educational, advocacy, and research efforts to respond to global warming.

According to the APHA, global warming presents "challenges nearly unprecedented in scope, scale, and vulnerability" for the United States' public health systems The APHA argues that there is a direct connection between climate change and the health of those living in the United States and is urging health professionals to make policies that respond accordingly. Moreover, the APHA says that aside from regional concerns, global warming will likely have more pronounced effects on the health of children, the elderly, the poor, and those with chronic health effects. In the Midwest region, the APHA says that major cities such as Chicago are at an increased risk for extreme temperatures and heat stress and heatstroke.

Researchers have warned of additional health and economic impacts of global warming on Michigan:

* Although there is uncertainty in forecasting the impact of global warming on the water levels of the Great Lakes, there is a clear risk as global warming increases evaporation and alters precipitation patterns. In 2002, the Bush Administration published a global warming report that warned: "Lake levels are likely to decline due to increased warm-season evaporation, leading to reduced water supply and degraded water quality."

* Warmer average temperatures could increase concentrations of ground-level ozone, which is known to aggravate respiratory problems such as asthma.

* Forested areas in Michigan could decline as much as 50-70 percent as a result of global warming. The forests are not only home to animals such as bears and wolves, but they provide Michigan with considerable benefits from tourism, recreation and timber products.

* Loss of wildlife and habitat could mean a loss of tourism dollars. In 2006, nearly 5.4 million people spent more than $4 billion on hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing in Michigan. The industry in turn supported 63,614 jobs in the state.