Internists Say Administration’s Actions to Limit Vehicle Emissions Will Protect Public Health

Statement attributable to:
Thomas G. Cooney, MD, MACP
Chair, Board of Regents
American College of Physicians

WASHINGTON, D.C. December 20, 2021 –The American College of Physicians (ACP) supports the Biden administration announcement of new efforts to limit greenhouse gas emissions from cars and SUVs. Climate change and poor air quality harm health and reducing pollutants in the air could help to limit the occurrence of, and symptoms for those with, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

ACP has long supported efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and move toward a clean energy future. In 2016’s Climate and Health, ACP called attention to the potential impact of climate change on human health, including higher rates of respiratory and heat-related illness, increased prevalence of vector-borne and waterborne diseases, food and water insecurity, and malnutrition.

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About the American College of Physicians

The American College of Physicians is the largest medical specialty organization in the United States with members in more than 145 countries worldwide. ACP membership includes 161,000 internal medicine physicians (internists), related subspecialists, and medical students. Internal medicine physicians are specialists who apply scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to the diagnosis, treatment, and compassionate care of adults across the spectrum from health to complex illness. Follow ACP on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Contact: Jacquelyn Blaser, (202) 261-4572, jblaser@acponline.org