To the Editor: There is international recognition of the substantial threat that global warming presents to human health and of the challenges that it poses to health service delivery. The World Health Organization has estimated that global warming and climate change-related natural disasters account for over 60 000 deaths globally per year.1 Global warming will also have implications for surgery and surgical practice.
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- 2. Teague B, McLeod R, Pascoe S. 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission: final report. Melbourne: Government Printer for the State of Victoria, 2010. http://www.royalcommission. vic.gov.au/Commission-Reports/Final-Report (accessed Aug 2011).
- 3. Cameron PA, Mitra B, Fitzgerald M, et al. Black Saturday: the immediate impact of the February 2009 bushfires in Victoria, Australia. Med J Aust 2009; 191: 11-16. <MJA full text>
- 4. Garnaut R. Garnaut climate change review: final report. Melbourne: Cambridge University Press, 2008: 117. http://www.garnautreview.org.au/index.htm (accessed Aug 2011).
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