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Climate Change and Human Health
The document discusses the health effects of climate change, highlighting direct impacts such as increased heat stress and respiratory illnesses, as well as indirect effects including changes in vector-borne diseases and food sources. It emphasizes the rising risk of heat waves in New York City, projecting up to 89 days of extreme heat annually, which can lead to significant health risks. The author calls for enhanced surveillance systems and adaptation plans to address these evolving health challenges.
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Climate Change and Human Health
- 1. Human Health undera Changing Climate Perry Sheffield, MD, MPH Assistant Professor, Pediatrics and Preventive Medicine Mount Sinai S h l of M di i M t Si i School f Medicine Cary Institute forum on “Climate Change in the Hudson Valley: Preparing at the Local Level” Level October 22, 2011
- 2. Health Effects ofClimate Change - Direct Climate Impacts Direct Health Effects More intense and Heat stress, frequent Heat Waves cardiovascular disease Stagnant Air Masses, Asthma, respiratory Air Pollution illness, cardiovascular , disease More Frequent Heavy Drowning, direct injury Rainfall Events Slide text from G. Luber, CDC.
- 3. Health Effects ofClimate Change - Indirect Climate Impacts Indirect Health Effects Effects on key Impacts on vector-borne and vector borne ecosystem parameters zoonotic disease Heavy precipitation Water-borne diseases, events will become harmful algal blooms, more frequent q Increase in areas Changes in food sources, affected by drought malnutrition, forced migration Slide text from G. Luber, CDC.
- 4. Heat Waves andPublic Health • Heat wave or extreme heat events – Period of very hot and humid weather that can make people very sick and even lead to death p p y • Scientists project that NYC could have 40 to 89 days annually with 90 degree heat – or hotter y y g • NYC August 2006: 40 heat stroke deaths and 100 more deaths than expected Slide text from Nathan Graber, NYC DOH
- 5. Ground-level ozone (O3) from Queensland Government EPA, www.epa.qld.gov.au
- 6. Change in O3-relatedasthma emergency department visits for children (0–17 years) in 2020s vs 1990s Sheffield et al, AJPM 2011.
- 7. Climate, Pollen , and Asthma: possible mechanisms From: Beggs and Bambrick, EHP 2005
- 8. West Nile virusin mosquitoes, New York State, 2008 NYSERDA ClimAID team, 2010.
- 9. Vulnerability factors –extreme heat example 1. Underlying medical conditions • Heart d lung di H t and l diseases, e.g. 2. Demographics • Race, age, education R d ti 3. Housing • Top floor apartments, air conditioning 4. Community geography • Heat island, vegetation density O’Neill & Ebi, JOEM 2009
- 10. Survey of localhealth departments in NYS Carr et al, JPHMP In press.
- 11. Heat adaptation efforts • Policy: Emergency plan, weather service alerts • Surveillance S ill • Structural interventions: cooling centers, A/C’s • Education/outreach
- 12. Take-Home Messages g Health effects from heat, air pollution, and pollen and other risks are more challenging to address as climate changes in the U.S. Along with climate change, vulnerability factors change will be key in determining health impacts More surveillance systems are needed to track key climate-health indicators Adaptation planning can begin now with currently available information