# 6009
A survey out today, conducted by the Ecohealth Alliance, suggests that while many Americans worry about global disease outbreaks, few have good a good understanding about how, or from where, the next global health threat is likely to emerge.
First a link to the press release, followed by a link to the survey (very much worth reading).
EcoHealth Alliance Survey Analyzes Americans' Fear of Global Disease Outbreaks
Survey Respondents Lack Knowledge of How and Why Outbreaks Occur
NEW YORK, Dec. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- EcoHealth Alliance, a U.S. science-based nonprofit organization, announced the results of a just released survey that polled Americans' knowledge surrounding global disease outbreaks. Results showed that more than two in three Americans (68%) worry about global disease outbreaks. When polled about how and why the next big outbreak will happen and what causes them, Americans (88%) receive a failing grade when it comes to their knowledge on the subject. Survey findings show that less than one in five Americans (17%) know that the next big disease outbreak is most likely to be transmitted from wildlife, according to EcoHealth Alliance. "Around 75 percent of emerging infectious diseases originate in animals and then can spread to humans," said Dr. Peter Daszak, President of EcoHealth Alliance. "The key to stopping global disease outbreaks is to protect wildlife and reduce our impact on their habitats. Until citizens, scientists and governments focus on points of origin, we're at risk for a major outbreak."
While most Americans know that overpopulation and air travel contribute to global disease outbreaks, less than half know that contributing factors also include international wildlife trade (40%), climate change (33%), agricultural expansion (30%), deforestation (29%) and hunting (10%). "Changes to the environment, including deforestation, intensive agricultural practices, bushmeat hunting, illegal wildlife trade, climate change and the encroachment of human populations on formerly untouched wild habitats are all factors contributing to disease spread," said Dr. Daszak. "Disruptions to an environment from global travel and trade can bring viruses from the other side of the globe right to our very doorstep here in the U.S. within days of an outbreak."
The 23-page PDF with the full survey results can be downloaded via this Link.
