Download Power to Prepare Tucson

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
• 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
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 rodentborne diseases
• Marginal shifts in mosquito vector ranges, but
w/ potential population impact
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
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
Water- & Food-borne Disease
• Effects of precipitation & temperature
Temperature increases and Salmonella cases
# Salmonella cases/month
Natural flooding and fecal bacteria (E. Coli)
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
Wildfires
Wallow Wildfire, 2011
Credit: Brent Watcher IMET National Weather Service/US Forest Service
• Smoke exposure
associated with
respiratory and eye
symptoms, increased
ER visits
• Loss of
property/home,
• Increased mudslide
risk
Conclusions
• Natural and human systems are complex
• Warmer & more extreme climate shifts will lead
to direct health impacts and exacerbate preexisting 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