ENZI STRESSES NEED TO ADDRESS THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF GLOBAL POVERTY

Washington, D.C. – At today’s Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions(HELP) Committee hearing on climate change and public health, U.S. Senator Mike Enzi(R-WY), Ranking Member of the HELP Committee, said that Congress should focus itsefforts on solving the health crises around the world related to poverty and a lack of cleanwater. “We face very real and immediate challenges with malaria, air pollution, andHIV/AIDS today,” Enzi said. “For me, the health effects of climate change areinextricably intertwined with poverty. What we do today to provide clean water, cleanenergy, and public health infrastructure in the developing world will reduce poverty,combat the health problems that many face today, and will lessen any potential futurehealth effects that may come about because of climate change.” Enzi noted that more than one billion people – approximately one-sixth of theworld’s population – do not have access to safe drinking water today. “I believe access to clean water is the keystone to our efforts to fight the healtheffects of global poverty,” Enzi said. “Water is a bridge to health and health is a bridgeto peace and prosperity, for all people on this planet.” ####