Climate Change

Abstract

IMPORTANCE Health is inextricably linked to climate change. It is important for clinicians to understand this relationship in order to discuss associated health risks with their patients and to inform public policy. OBJECTIVES To provide new US-based temperature projections from downscaled climate modeling and to review recent studies on health risks related to climate change and the cobenefits of efforts to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. DATA SOURCES, STUDY SELECTION, AND DATA SYNTHESIS We searched PubMed and Google Scholar from 2009 to 2014 for articles related to climate change and health, focused on governmental reports, predictive models, and empirical epidemiological studies. Of the more than 250 abstracts reviewed, 56 articles were selected. In addition, we analyzed climate data averaged over 13 climate models and based future projections on downscaled probability distributions of the daily maximum temperature for 2046–2065. We also compared maximum daily 8-hour average ozone with air temperature data taken from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Climate Data Center. RESULTS By 2050, many US cities may experience more frequent extreme heat days. For example, New York and Milwaukee may have 3 times their current average number of days hotter than 32°C (90°F). High temperatures are also strongly associated with ozone exceedance days, for example, in Chicago, Illinois. The adverse health aspects related to climate change may include heat-related disorders, such as heat stress and economic consequences of reduced work capacity; respiratory disorders, including those exacerbated by air pollution and aeroallergens, such as asthma; infectious diseases, including vectorborne diseases and waterborne diseases, such as childhood gastrointestinal diseases; food insecurity, including reduced crop yields and an increase in plant diseases; and mental health disorders, such as posttraumatic stress disorder and depression, that are associated with natural disasters. Substantial health and economic cobenefits could be associated with reductions in fossil fuel combustion. For example, greenhouse gas emission policies may yield net economic benefit, with health benefits from air quality improvements potentially offsetting the cost of US and international carbon policies. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE Evidence over the past 20 years indicates that climate change can be associated with adverse health outcomes. Health care professionals have an important role in understanding and communicating the related potential health concerns and the cobenefits from policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

An adaptation index to high summer heat associated with adverse health impacts in deprived neighborhoods

“…However, in very disadvantaged neighborhoods such as those included in our study, air conditioning comes mostly from window (or room) models, designed to be effective only for a single room and very costly to run (Shah 2014). Consequently, although air conditioning was not selected as an active variable in the CMA and appears weakly associated with adaptation to heat when considered as a passive variable, we suggest nonetheless adding air conditioning in the home as an indicator for systems that monitor the health impacts to heat, as air conditioning is known to reduce heat-related deaths and illness (Patz et al 2014). Age is the passive variable projected in the MCA universe that separates most distinctly adaptation from non-adaptation according to the index.…”

Identification of core objectives for teaching sustainable healthcare education

“…Physicians will be called upon to care for patients who bear the burden of disease from the impact of climate change and ecologically irresponsible practices which harm ecosystems and contribute to climate change. Many diseases and health burdens are linked to climate fluctuations including respiratory illness, infectious diseases, and malnutrition [4]. Furthermore, physicians work within the wasteful, high eco-footprint healthcare system, which has barely begun to embrace a culture of sustainability [5].…”

Expanding the role for psychology in addressing environmental challenges.

“…Third, human life and wellbeing are increasingly affected. From the acute impacts of disasters like hurricanes and floods, to anxiety about global environmental change and the societal inequities of disparate vulnerability and impact, individual and social wellbeing are profoundly threatened as a consequence of environmental changes (Clayton, Manning, & Hodge, 2014;Patz, Frumkin, Holloway, Vimont, & Haines, 2014).…”