Why should I care?
Climate change and extreme weather events are threatening our health today, and if left unaddressed, will lead to increases in disease, injury and death. Immediate action can and must be taken to minimize the adverse health impacts of climate change and equip public health workers with the tools to protect our communities from negative health outcomes.
Climate change raises major public health concerns:
- Warmer weather exacerbates the risks of strokes, heart attacks, asthma attacks, and vector-borne diseases such as Zika, West Nile virus and Lyme disease — especially for vulnerable populations such as the elderly, children and people already suffering from illnesses. Between 1999 and 2009, extreme heat exposure caused nearly 8,000 U.S. deaths,1 and it's only getting hotter. A warmer future is expected to lead to tens of thousands of additional premature deaths in the U.S. by the end of the century.2
- Changing climate also heightens the intensity and frequency of weather-related disasters like wildfires and floods that threaten the public's health and safety, resulting in death, injury and illness. Sadly, the health dangers of extreme weather events like Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and Hurricane Sandy in 2012 don’t stop when the storm ends. Sandy killed 113 people, and in its aftermath, countless more people lived in unhealthy conditions and suffered from mental health repercussions like anxiety and PTSD.3
- Climate change increases our exposure to harmful pollutants. Increased ground-level ozone and higher levels of airborne allergens are associated with impaired lung function as well as increased emergency room visits and hospital admissions for asthma. In addition, more frequent and intense wildfires can increase particulate matter exposure, which is linked with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and respiratory illness.4
What can I do?
You can help by advocating for adequate funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Climate and Health Program, which provides critical guidance, technical support and funding to help state and local health departments prepare for and protect the nation from the harmful impacts of climate change.
We all can be aware of how our daily activities impact everyday life in our communities. The careful use of water and energy not only conserves natural resources but will protect the ecosystem, increase access to water and reduce disaster risks. Use of public transportation or sharing rides reduces air pollution and diminishes traffic congestion.
And don't forget that local action makes a difference, too. Let your state and local lawmakers know why taking action on climate change is critical to your community's health and prosperity. Learn more about acting locally.
SIGN OUR PLEDGE to create the healthiest nation in one generation!
1 The White House: The Health Impacts of Climate Change on Americans, June 2014
2 USGCRP, 2016: The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific Assessment
3 NIH: Mental Health Effects of Hurricane Sandy
4 The White House: The Health Impacts of Climate Change on Americans, June 2014