Advancing the Science of Climate Change (2010) / Chapter Skim
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11 Public Health
11 Public Health
Pages 309-322
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From page 309... ...
However, the causal chain linking climate change to shifting patterns of health threats and outcomes is complicated by factors such as wealth, distribution of income, status of public health infrastructure, provision of preventive and acute medical care, and access to and appropriate use of health care information. As with many other consequences of climate change, concurrent changes in nonclimatic factors, such as combustion-related air pollution, will influence the severity of future health impacts.
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From page 310... ...
Mitigation policies can potentially reduce the magnitude of climate change, while moderating influences (such as access to quality health care) or adaptation measures (such as improved public health education)
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From page 311... ...
EXTREME TEMPERATURES AND THERMAL STRESS Heat waves are the leading causes of weather-related morbidity and mortality in the United States (CDC, 2006; Changnon et al., 1996)
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From page 312... ...
Projected excess deaths in New York City associated with such a heat wave, for example, would exceed the current average number of heat-related deaths nationwide each summer, with a death rate approaching that for all accidents. There is also the potential, however, for warming temperatures to reduce exposure and health impacts associated with cold winter temperatures, although this potential is projected to vary by location (CCSP, 2008a)
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From page 313... ...
For example, implementation of early warning systems and alteration of infrastructure to reduce urban heat islands could help minimize the impacts of heat waves by increasing adaptive capacities in communities. SEVERE WEATHER Deaths and physical injuries from severe weather events such as hurricanes, tornados, floods, and wildfire occur annually across the United States.
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From page 314... ...
Increasing temperatures may expand or shift the ranges of disease vectors, including mosquitoes, ticks, and rodents. Mosquito-borne diseases that may be affected by climate change include malaria, dengue fever, the West Nile virus, and the Saint Louis encephalitis virus.
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From page 315... ...
, ozone concentrations also depend on a wide range of other factors, including the rate and amount of ozone precursor emissions, human actions taken to limit ozone precursors, and meteorological factors. For example, extremely hot days tend to be associated with stagnant air circulation patterns that can concentrate ground-level ozone, exacerbating respiratory diseases and short-term reductions in lung function (USGCRP, 2001)
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From page 316... ...
bitmap ity may change in the future. When precursor emissions are held constant, projections suggest climate change will increase concentrations of tropospheric ozone across many regions, increasing morbidity and mortality (Ebi and McGregor, 2008)
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From page 317... ...
. Conversely, some of the technologies and policy mechanisms that might be used to control climate change may also be complementary to measures adopted to control air pollution; for example, reducing commuter traffic by encouraging mass transit and carpooling would reduce both transportation-related GHG emissions and ozone precursors.
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From page 318... ...
. Residents of low-lying coastal areas could be particularly vulnerable to the health impacts associated with sea level rise, coastal erosion, and more intense storms (CCSP, 2008a)
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From page 319... ...
RESEARCH NEEDS Systematically investigate current and projected health risks associated with climate change. Research is needed to develop a more complete understanding of the health effects of weather and climate events (temperature, heat waves, and severe weather)
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From page 320... ...
Linking knowledge to action through partnerships with private, public, and nongovernmental organizations, and faith communities, and carefully building effective information, education, and outreach strategies that bring credible health information to potentially affected populations will be a critical element of increasing adaptive capacity and responses in the health sector. In addition, local and state 0
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From page 321... ...
Public Health governments can be instrumental in building awareness of climate-related health impacts and adaptation options among health care providers, caregivers, and potentially affected populations. The effectiveness of various outreach efforts in affecting human behavior requires careful research and testing in place-based contexts that take advantage of local knowledge and perspectives and the particulars of social networks.
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