Climate change and health equity: Expanding our reach using technology

Abstract

Climate change refers to long-term changes in temperature, patterns of weather, sea levels, and the intensification of extreme weather events. Human behavior and industry are the primary drivers of climate change. Climate change has been linked with changes in human health such as heat-related illnesses, cardiovascular disease, asthma and other respiratory illnesses, insect borne diseases, and changes in food sources and water safety [1]. The cascading exposures related to climate change also heightens the risk for mental health outcomes such as depression and posttraumatic stress disorder, as well as ecological distress such as climate anxiety [2]. Finally, climate change is linked with large-scale weather-related events (e.g., tornados, hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, polar vortexes, and droughts) which results in injury, death, economic loss, infrastructure damage, and psychological trauma.Moreover, climate change disproportionally impacts communities of color, low-income communities, and vulnerable sectors of society such as children, older adults, and those with existing health conditions [3] widening existing disparities. In preparing for and responding to the growing climate emergency, the need to plan and provide mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) is more pressing than ever before, yet few scalable approaches to assessing, triaging, and treating the impacts of climate change on health and mental health exist, particularly outside of emergency management and disaster situations.

Child and adolescent trauma response following climate-related events: Leveraging existing knowledge with new technologies.

“…Children and adolescents are among vulnerable populations postdisaster, and climate change is increasing their vulnerability. Disaster may seem sudden; however, climate change provides signs that preparation is needed to help children build coping skills and self-efficacy for when events occur (Saltzman et al, 2023). These building blocks for resilience can be helpful for future disasters, general adverse life events, and everyday stressors.…”