The American Public Health Association said the blueprint, unveiled as part of the Association of Health Care Journalists annual conference, calls for education and outreach, research, advocacy and support of best practices that build on existing public health programs. The plan also calls for the promotion of healthy behaviors such as helping the public health system go green.

"Public health professionals are uniquely positioned to lead the way in addressing the health impacts of climate change," Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, said Monday in a news release. "They can help make real progress by emphasizing preparedness, prevention, research, partnerships and policy."

Former U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher said global warming is one of the top challenges facing the public health community. "It presents challenges nearly unprecedented in scope, scale and difficulty -- especially when it comes to our most vulnerable populations, who are the most at risk," he said. "We must respond accordingly."