Mitigate, adapt, or suffer: Peak oil’s new disaster paradigm
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5055/ajdm.2010.0037Keywords:
petroleum, peak oil, public health, disasters, energy scarcityAbstract
Objectives: To address the impacts of peak oil (PO) on human health and to propose new public health preparedness models and measures mandated by these impacts.
Design: Review of relevant literature. Articles were obtained by searching the PubMed database (including manual searches using “related citations” tool) plus Google and Google Scholar search engines using terms such as “peak oil,” “energy scarcity,” “human health,” “public health,” and “preparedness.”
Results: Forty-six journal articles were reviewed.
Conclusions: The projections about PO are concerning, as illustrated by minor PO events in the recent past. There are many opportunities for devising beneficial solutions within healthcare to mitigate the effects of PO. It is essential for disaster medicine professionals to become aware of PO and to advocate for change in clinical practice with patients as well as policy leaders. If we fail to mitigate the effects of PO on healthcare, we will be left with the less pleasant options of adapting to PO or suffering its effects.
References
Bardi U: Peak oil: The four stages of a new idea. Energy. 2009; 34(3): 323-326.
Cook E: Some health aspects of high-energy society. Tex Rep Biol Med. 1975; 33(1): 25-44.
Goldemberg J, Johansson TB (eds.): World Energy Assessment: Overview: 2004 Update. New York, NY: United Nations Publications, 2004.
Winsche WE, Hoffman KC, Salzano FJ: Hydrogen: Its future role in the nation’s energy economy. Science. 1973; 180(4093): 1325-1332.
Berg GW: Geothermal energy—A viable energy source for health facilities. Public Health Rep. 1981; 96(2): 99-104.
Ezzati M, Bailis R, Kammen DM: Energy management and global health. Annu Rev Environ Resour. 2004; 29: 383-419.
Terreri A: Emergency services: Gas prices putting brakes on EMS companies. Hosp Health Netw. 2008; 82(8): 11.
Monroe AT: Gasoline costs and treatment choices. JAMA. 2008; 299(4): 407-408.
DeJohn P: Oil, food prices threaten hospital supply budgets. Hosp Mater Manage. 2008; 33(7): 1-3.
Wilson FA, Stimpson JP, Hilsenrath PE: Gasoline prices and their relationship to rising motorcycle fatalities, 1990-2007. Am J Public Health. 2009; 99(10): 1753-1758.
Gagnier D: Climate gate: Bad science, red herring or political and media football? Policy Options. 2010; 31(4): 74-78.
Inhofe J: ‘Consensus’ is no such thing. US News World Rep. 2010; 147(4): 20.
Harrison D: Peak oil, climate change, public health and wellbeing. J R Soc Promot Health. 2006; 126(2): 62-63.
Horton R: Righting the balance: Energy for health. Lancet. 2007; 370(9591): 921.
Hanlon P, Carlisle S: Thesis: Do we face a third revolution in human history? If so, how will public health respond? J Public Health (Oxf). 2008; 30(4): 355-361.
Clark GB, Kline B: Impact of oil shortage on plastic medical supplies. Public Health Rep. 1981; 96(2): 111-115.
Kline AB Jr:Will shortages of raw materials and rising prices hurt our chances for better health care? Public Health Rep. 1975; 90(1): 3-9.
Canadian Cyber Incident Response Centre: Impact of September 2000 fuel price protests on UK critical infrastructure incident analysis: IA05-001; January 25, 2005. Available at http://www. publicsafety. gc.ca/prg/em/ccirc/2005/ia05-001-eng.aspx. Accessed 15 June, 2010.
Holdren JP: The energy innovation imperative: Addressing oil dependence, climate change, and other 21st century energy challenges. Innovations. 2006; 1(2): 3-23.
Muir Gray J: Evidence-based practice: A critical appraisal. In Trinder L, Reynolds S (eds.): Evidence-Based Practice: A Critical Appraisal. Oxford: Blackwell Science, 2000: 89-110.
Kirkby G:Waste management: Three R’s (reduce, reuse, recycle) reduce waste, save money. Leadersh Health Serv. 1993; 2(2): 30-33.
Solberg KE: Trade in medical waste causes deaths in India. Lancet. 2009; 373(9669): 1067.
Moscati RM, Mayrose J, Reardon RF, et al.: A multicenter comparison of tap water versus sterile saline for wound irrigation. Acad Emerg Med. 2007; 14(5): 404-409.
Fernandez R, Griffiths R:Water for wound cleansing. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2008; (1): CD003861.
Perelman VS, Francis GJ, Rutledge T, et al.: Sterile versus nonsterile gloves for repair of uncomplicated lacerations in the emergency department: A randomized controlled trial. Ann Emerg Med. 2004; 43(3): 362-370.
Rhinehart MB, Murphy MM, Farley MF, et al.: Sterile versus nonsterile gloves during Mohs micrographic surgery: Infection rate is not affected. Dermatol Surg. 2006; 32(2): 170-176.
Chiu WK,Cheung LK, Chan HC, et al.: A comparison of post-operative complications following wisdom tooth surgery performed with sterile or clean gloves. Int J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2006; 35(2): 174-179.
Lyon RC, Taylor JS, Porter DA, et al.: Stability profiles of drug products extended beyond labeled expiration dates. J Pharm Sci. 2006; 95(7): 1549-1560.
Abramowicz M: Drugs past their expiration date. Med Lett Drugs Ther. 2002; 44(1142): 93-94.
Council on Scientific Affairs: American Medical Association: “Pharmaceutical expiration dates.” Available at http://www. ama-assn.org/ama/no-index/about-ama/13652.shtml. Accessed 3 July, 2010.
Barson J, Roth P: ASPO-Australia Health Sector Working Group. Supplementary submission to the senate inquiry into Australia’s future oil supply. Available at http://www.aph.gov.au/ senate/committee/rrat_ctte/completed_inquiries/2004-07/oil_supply/ submissions/sub138a.pdf. Accessed 17 June, 2010.
Wynia MK: Ethics and public health emergencies: Rationing vaccines. Am J Bioeth. 2006; 6(6): 4-7.
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright 2007-2023, Weston Medical Publishing, LLC
All Rights Reserved
