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Progressives call push to change Constitution "risky," Judge rules Donald Trump defrauded banks, insurers while building real estate empire; new report compares ways NY can get cleaner air, help disadvantaged communities.

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Senate leaders advance a plan to avoid a government shutdown, an elections official argues AI could be a threat to democracy and voting rights advocates look to states like Arizona to rally young Latino voters.

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A small fire department in rural Indiana is determined not to fail new moms and babies, the growing election denial movement has caused voting districts to change procedures and autumn promises spectacular scenery along America's rural byways.

WI Medical Professionals: Climate Change Affects Human Health

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Wednesday, October 28, 2020   

MADISON, Wis. -- More than 4,000 medical professionals from across the country are demanding policy action on climate change. The coalition includes dozens of doctors and nurses in Wisconsin, who say the effects are visible in the patients they serve.

Nearly 90 health-care professionals around the state have signed a letter asking their patients to get behind political candidates willing to consider the issue.

Kickapoo Valley Medical Clinic medical director Dr. Joel Charles, who practices family medicine in Crawford County, said relying less on fossil fuels and more on renewable energy might help turn things around.

"Less still births, better learning development in kids, less asthma in kids, less heart attacks," he said. "So, from birth to death, fossil fuels are making people more sick."

In a new report, University of Wisconsin researchers said climate change also has put the state at greater risk for diseases spread by insects. They cited warmer winters and increases in annual rainfall. While polls show more people, including younger conservatives, acknowledging the impact of climate change, many candidates have expressed support for the oil industry.

Charles said having the medical community speak up could turn more heads and get policymakers to take meaningful action. He said he feels it adds a credibility factor that could have a huge impact.

"Doctors and nurses are some of the most trusted professions in society," he said.

In Gallup's annual ethics survey, nurses have topped the "trusted profession" category for 17 years in a row. One of the groups in this coalition is the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health, which has the backing of several state medical societies, including Wisconsin's.

The letter is online at medsocietiesforclimatehealth.org, and the UW climate-health report is at ghi.wisc.edu.


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