Public health doctor: 'Climate change and health issues linked'

Ring is touring the United States by bicycle to publicize serious threats to public health that are occurring now and could get worse in the future due to changing climate.

Her message is that dire health emergencies will occur unless fossil fuel use is decreased and resources are used in a more sustainable manner. She points out that the U.S. will need to make large investments in order to see positive changes, but these investments will pay off in the form of better health and a more robust economy.

The presentation may be of particular interest to those studying health professions, environmental policy, communication, geoscience, general science and education. Time will be allowed for questions and discussion, according to CSC geoscience professor Dr. Mike Leite.

Ring is a rural family physician trained in both medicine and public health who has devoted her career to meeting the needs of the medically underserved. In 1990, she founded a mobile clinic in northern California to care for the working uninsured, the homeless, undocumented immigrants, and others lacking access to health care. She served as Medical Director of the clinic until 2011, when she left full time clinical practice to work on climate issues.

She has been recognized by the US Congress, the California State Legislature, and the California and American Medical Associations for her innovative work and was named one of America's Five Best Doctors and the nation's Best Healer by Readers Digest. 

Ring’s web site can be seen at climate911.org.