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Climate Change and Human Health

Heidi E. Brown, Ph.D., M.P.H. University of Arizona School of Geography and Development College of Public Health. Climate Change and Human Health. Climate and Health. Climate-related exposures can be the direct cause of illness or death such as death from hyperthermia

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Climate Change and Human Health

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  1. Heidi E. Brown, Ph.D., M.P.H. University of Arizona School of Geography and Development College of Public Health Climate Change and Human Health

  2. Climate and Health • Climate-related exposures can be the direct cause of illness or death • such as death from hyperthermia • Climate-related exposures can also be a contributing cause of health problems by exacerbating an already existing medical condition • such as heart disease • or exert indirect effects, as by inducing changes in the ranges of organisms that transmit disease

  3. Climate Change & Health in the Southwest • More heat waves and urban warming • Longer and more severe ozone seasons • Increased pollen allergen production w/ earlier season start • Fungus/mold growth due to swings in precip/temp extremes • Risk of water-borne pathogens via flooding and higher water temperatures • Higher rainfall variability moderating rodent-borne diseases • Marginal shifts in mosquito vector ranges, but w/ potential population impact

  4. Extreme Events Heat Related Deaths – Chicago Maximum Temperature and Heat Index July 11 -23, 1995 http://www.usgcrp.gov/usgcrp/Library/nationalassessment/LargerImages/SectorGraphics/Health/HeatDeaths.jpg

  5. Air Quality • Rising temps increase concentrations of ozone and possibly PM2.5 • Longer, more severe ozone season • Breathing problems, airway inflammation http://www.usgcrp.gov/usgcrp/Library/nationalassessment/LargerImages/SectorGraphics/Health/Ozone.jpg

  6. Water- & Food-borne Disease • Effects of precipitation & temperature • Natural flooding and fecal bacteria (E. Coli) • Temperature increases and Salmonella cases # Salmonella cases/month Ave. monthly temp (°C) http://www.niwascience.co.nz/pubs/wa/12-2/images/flood2_large.jpg http://www.who.int/globalchange/climate/en/fig4.2.gif

  7. Wildfires • Smoke exposure associated with respiratory and eye symptoms, increased ER visits • Loss of property/home, • Increased mudslide risk Wallow Wildfire, 2011 Credit: Brent Watcher IMET National Weather Service/US Forest Service

  8. Conclusions • Natural and human systems are complex • Warmer & more extreme climate shifts will lead to direct health impacts and exacerbate pre-existing conditions. • Effects will be mediated by social & ecological factors • Disadvantaged population bear greater burden • New work on co-benefits • Climate change mitigation policies that provide ancillary health benefits

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