By: Sarah DeBuono
In addition to the apparent survival risks human will encounter that are directly impacted by climate change (for example, natural disasters, smog, freshwater depletion), there are other health effects of climate change that are currently prevalent and will escalate if the environment is not properly cared for. From 2030 to 2050, climate change alone is estimated to cause 250,000 additional deaths per year from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea and heat stress (5). Increased pollution results in a greater number of occurrences of premature death, health attacks, respiratory disorders, stroke, exacerbation of asthma, and it may be related to Alzheimer’s disease and autism spectrum disorder (1). Dr. Jeffery Drazen, editor-in-chief of The New England Journal of Medicine and professor of environmental health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, conducted research proving an increased life expectancy is related to the cleanliness of the air (4). Minute particles that pass through the lungs and into activating immune cells, create artery-clogging plaque which interferes with blood flow (4). This increases the likelihood of suffering from a heart attack or stroke (4). Elevated temperatures raise the levels of ozone and other pollutants in the air that contribute to respiratory and cardiovascular disease (5). Asthma is triggered by pollen and other aeroallergen levels being higher in extreme heat environments (5). Changes in climatic conditions are estimated to lengthen the transmission of severe vector-borne diseases and increase the geographic area in which they can be transmitted (5). The safety of food is at risk due to contaminants that originate from environmental pollution such as toxic metals and organic halogenated compounds. Effects of environmental contaminants found in food is demonstrated to cause developmental toxicity and endocrine disruption in fetuses and children (6). Continuing to use non-renewable resources of natural gas causes gas leaks which expose people to exorbitant amounts of methane and benzene (1). Climate change is causing an increase in wildland fires in Alberta (3). Young children, the elderly, and people with heart or lung conditions are more sensitive to the detrimental effects of smoke exposure (3). The most at risk to the health effects of climate change are those living in small island developing states, coastal regions, megacities, mountainous and polar regions (5). In response to the inevitable effects of climate change, the Center for Disease Control set a five-set framework titled “Building Resilience Against Climate Effects” to establish climate impacts, potential health effects, and the most at-risk populations (2):
1. Anticipate Climate Impacts and Assessing Vulnerabilities
Goal: Identify the scope of climate impacts, associated potential health outcomes, and populations and locations vulnerable to these health impacts.
2. Project the Disease Burden
Goal: Estimate or quantify the additional burden of health outcomes associated with climate change.
3. Assess Public Health Interventions
Identify the most suitable health interventions for the identified health impacts of greatest concern.
4. Develop and Implement a Climate and Health Adaptation Plan
Develop a written adaptation plan that is regularly updated. Disseminate and oversee the implementation of the plan.
5. Evaluate Impact and Improve the Quality of Activities
Evaluate the process. Determine the value of information attained and activities undertaken.
References
“Fossil Fuels & Health.” C-CHANGE | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, 19 June 2019, www.hsph.harvard.edu/c-change/subtopics/fossil-fuels-health/.
“Climate and Health Program.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 11 Sept. 2019, www.cdc.gov/climateandhealth/default.htm.
“Health Effects of Smoke Exposure Due to Wildland Fires: Province of Manitoba.” Province of Manitoba - Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living, www.gov.mb.ca/health/publichealth/environmentalhealth/smoke.html.
Harvard Health Publishing. “Air Pollution: A Threat to Your Heart and Longevity?” Harvard Health, Oct. 2017, www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/air-pollution-a-threat-to-your-heart-and-longevity.
“Climate Change and Health.” The World Health Organization, World Health Organization, 1 Feb. 2018, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/climate-change-and-health.
Oskarsson, Agneta. “Environmental Contaminants and Food Safety.” Acta Veterinaria Scandinavica, BioMed Central, 24 Feb. 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3305716/.