6.4 Climate Change and Health

Climate change is reshaping our world, and its impacts on health are far-reaching. From extreme weather events to shifts in disease patterns, climate change affects us all. Understanding these impacts is crucial for public health professionals and policymakers.

This topic explores how climate change influences health through various pathways. We'll examine direct effects like heat waves, indirect impacts on food security, and the disproportionate risks faced by vulnerable populations. We'll also look at how climate action can benefit public health.

Climate Change Impacts on Health

Direct and Indirect Pathways

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• Climate change affects human health through direct and indirect pathways involving extreme weather events, changes in air quality, water and food security, and vector-borne diseases
• Rising temperatures and heat waves increase heat-related illness risk (heat exhaustion, heat stroke) particularly in urban areas due to urban heat island effect
• Climate change exacerbates air pollution by increasing ground-level ozone and particulate matter leading to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases
• Altered precipitation patterns and sea-level rise impact water quality and availability potentially increasing water-borne diseases and affecting sanitation
• Climate change influences geographic distribution and seasonality of vector-borne diseases (malaria, dengue fever, Lyme disease) by altering ecosystems and vector habitats

Extreme Weather and Food Security

• Extreme weather events (hurricanes, floods, droughts) can cause injuries, deaths, and long-term mental health impacts (post-traumatic stress disorder, depression)
• Climate change affects food security by impacting crop yields, nutritional quality, and food distribution systems potentially leading to malnutrition and related health issues
  • Reduced crop yields in some regions due to heat stress and drought
  • Changes in growing seasons affecting traditional agricultural practices
  • Increased food prices due to supply chain disruptions
• Extreme heat events can lead to increased mortality rates, especially among vulnerable populations
  • Elderly individuals are particularly susceptible to heat-related illnesses
  • Urban areas experience higher temperatures due to the urban heat island effect

Vulnerable Populations and Regions

Socioeconomic and Geographic Vulnerabilities

• Low-income communities and developing countries are disproportionately affected due to limited resources for adaptation and mitigation strategies
  • Lack of access to air conditioning in extreme heat events
  • Limited healthcare infrastructure to address climate-related health issues
• Coastal populations face increased risks from sea-level rise, storm surges, and saltwater intrusion into freshwater sources
  • Displacement of communities due to coastal erosion and flooding
  • Loss of livelihoods in coastal fishing and tourism industries
• Urban populations, especially in areas with poor infrastructure, are vulnerable to heat-related illnesses and air pollution exacerbated by the urban heat island effect
  • Higher concentrations of air pollutants in urban areas
  • Limited green spaces for cooling and recreation
• Rural and indigenous communities dependent on natural resources for livelihoods are at risk due to changes in ecosystems and traditional food sources
  • Shifts in plant and animal species affecting traditional hunting and gathering practices
  • Changes in seasonal patterns disrupting agricultural cycles

Physiological and Occupational Vulnerabilities

• Children, elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions are more susceptible to climate-related health impacts due to their physiological vulnerabilities
  • Children have higher respiratory rates, increasing their exposure to air pollutants
  • Elderly individuals have reduced thermoregulatory capacity, making them more vulnerable to heat stress
• Outdoor workers (agricultural laborers, construction workers) face higher risks of heat-related illnesses and exposure to air pollutants
  • Increased risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke during extreme heat events
  • Prolonged exposure to air pollution leading to respiratory issues
• Populations in Arctic regions experience rapid environmental changes, affecting traditional ways of life and increasing the risk of food insecurity and mental health issues
  • Thawing permafrost affecting infrastructure and traditional food storage methods
  • Changes in sea ice patterns impacting traditional hunting practices

Public Health Benefits of Climate Action

Air Quality and Active Transportation

• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions through clean energy adoption improves air quality leading to decreased respiratory and cardiovascular diseases
  • Transition to renewable energy sources (solar, wind) reduces air pollutants from fossil fuel combustion
  • Improved air quality lowers incidence of asthma and other respiratory conditions
• Promoting active transportation (walking, cycling) reduces emissions while increasing physical activity potentially lowering rates of obesity and related chronic diseases
  • Development of bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure encourages active lifestyles
  • Reduced traffic congestion leads to decreased air pollution in urban areas

Urban Planning and Sustainable Agriculture

• Implementing green infrastructure in urban areas (parks, green roofs) mitigates the urban heat island effect while providing mental health benefits and increasing social cohesion
  • Urban green spaces act as natural cooling zones, reducing heat-related illnesses
  • Access to nature improves mental well-being and reduces stress levels
• Improving building energy efficiency reduces emissions and creates healthier indoor environments potentially decreasing respiratory illnesses and improving overall well-being
  • Better insulation and ventilation systems improve indoor air quality
  • Energy-efficient buildings reduce energy costs, benefiting low-income households
• Sustainable agricultural practices can enhance food security, improve nutrition, and reduce exposure to harmful pesticides while sequestering carbon
  • Crop diversification improves nutritional outcomes and increases resilience to climate impacts
  • Agroforestry practices sequester carbon while providing additional income sources for farmers

Health System Resilience

• Strengthening health systems to address climate-related health risks improves overall healthcare capacity and resilience to other public health threats
  • Enhanced disease surveillance systems improve early detection and response to outbreaks
  • Climate-resilient healthcare infrastructure better withstands extreme weather events
• Developing early warning systems for extreme weather events and disease outbreaks enhances community preparedness and reduces morbidity and mortality
  • Improved weather forecasting allows for timely evacuation and preparation
  • Early detection of vector-borne disease outbreaks enables rapid response and containment

Public Health Role in Climate Resilience

Assessment and Surveillance

• Public health professionals conduct health impact assessments to evaluate the potential health effects of climate change policies and interventions
  • Assessing the health implications of urban development projects
  • Evaluating the health co-benefits of renewable energy initiatives
• They develop and implement surveillance systems to monitor climate-sensitive health outcomes and identify emerging threats
  • Tracking heat-related illnesses during extreme heat events
  • Monitoring changes in vector-borne disease patterns

Collaboration and Policy Development

• Public health experts collaborate with climatologists, environmental scientists, and policymakers to develop evidence-based adaptation and mitigation strategies
  • Participating in interdisciplinary research teams to study climate-health interactions
  • Contributing to the development of national climate adaptation plans
• They design and implement public education campaigns to raise awareness about climate-related health risks and promote individual and community-level resilience
  • Creating educational materials on heat safety and air quality alerts
  • Developing community workshops on disaster preparedness
• Public health professionals advocate for policies that address health equity in climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts
  • Promoting equitable access to cooling centers during heat waves
  • Advocating for green space development in underserved urban areas

Infrastructure and Research

• They contribute to the development of climate-resilient health infrastructure, including hospitals and clinics that can withstand extreme weather events
  • Designing healthcare facilities with backup power systems and flood-resistant features
  • Implementing telemedicine systems to maintain healthcare access during disasters
• Public health experts conduct research on the health co-benefits of climate action to inform policy decisions and promote integrated approaches to addressing climate change and public health
  • Studying the mental health benefits of urban greening initiatives
  • Quantifying the economic savings from reduced air pollution-related illnesses