Climate Change and Public Health: CDC s Perspective and Research

Transcription

1 Climate Change and Public Health: CDC s Perspective and Research IOM Committee on the Effect of Climate Change on Indoor Air Quality and Public Health Jeremy Hess, MD, MPH National Center for Environmental Health, CDC CDC s Approach 1

2 Essential Services Study and predict links between climate change and health Track diseases and trends related to climate change Public health workforce prepared to respond Investigate infectious water-, food-, and vectorborne disease outbreaks Credible resource on health consequences of climate change Heat wave and severe storm response plans Partnerships with private sector, civic groups, NGOs, faith community, etc. Priority Public Health Actions Serve as a credible source of information on the health consequences of climate change for the U.S. and globally. Track data on environmental conditions, disease risks, and disease occurrence related to climate change. Expand capacity for modeling and forecasting health effects that may be climate-related. Enhance the science base to better understand the relationship between climate change and health outcomes. Identify locations and population groups at greatest risk for specific health threats, such as heat waves. Communicate the health-related aspects of climate change, including risks and ways to reduce them, to the public, decision makers, and healthcare providers. 2

3 Priority PH Actions, Cont d Develop partnerships within government, the private sector, nongovernmental organizations, universities, and others. Provide leadership to state and local governments, community leaders, healthcare professionals, nongovernmental organizations, faith-based communities, the private sector and the public, domestically and internationally. Develop and implement preparedness and response plans for health threats such as heat waves, severe weather events, and infectious diseases. Provide technical advice and support to state and local health departments, the private sector, and others in implementing national and global preparedness measures. Promote workforce development by training of a new generation of competent, experienced public health staff. Recent CC Research Linking NCHS data systems location, weather, and health Response functions for weather-related morbidity CC supplement for national health communication survey Heat wave awareness and communication The built environment as an effect modifier in cities CC and infectious diseases in the Arctic CC and adaptive management of water resources CC and tick borne disease in the US CC and plague in Uganda The impact of climate and weather on WNV transmission 3

4 New USG Reports Exposures & Effects Climate change effects: Temperature Sea level Precipitation Heat Storms, coastal flooding Vector biology Air pollutants Food supply Civil conflict Morbidity/mortality Morbidity/mortality/ displacement Infectious diseases Respiratory diseases Malnutrition Morbidity/mortality/ displacement 4

5 An Ecological Approach The built environment is intensely managed In re: to climate change, the built environment is part of the problem and part of the solution The problems: GHG emissions Residential, commercial, and industrial buildings emit 43% of US GHG 71% of emissions from electricity use Urban heat islands, sprawl Vulnerable populations Indoor environment and health Optimal temperature range (cold and CV mortality) Optimal humidity range (mold, bacteria, dust mites) Noxious, harmful indoor air emissions Vulnerable populations The solutions: GHG emissions Continued Improved energy efficiency (construction and operations) At a range of scales (city, neighborhood, home) Interactions with transport, green space, etc. Co-benefits for vulnerable populations Reduced indoor emissions (e.g. cookstoves) Adaptation to climate-sensitive exposures Air-conditioned spaces Climate-smart, disaster-resistant design Optimal temperature range (cold and CV mortality) Optimal humidity range (mold, bacteria, dust mites) Co-benefits for vulnerable populations 5

6 CC and the Built Environment UHIs and Heat 6

7 Sprawl and Vegetation Sprawl and EHEs 7

8 Outdoor Air Pollution A PH Rationale 8

9 The Inside of the Built Environment The Scant Evidence Richardson G, Barton A, Basham M, et al. The Watcombe housing study: The short-term effect of improving housing conditions on the indoor environment. Sci Tot Env 2006; 361:

10 Energy Efficiency & Cold Mortality Next Steps 10

11 How to Track: Indicators Wilkinson P, Smith KR, Beevers S, et al. Energy, energy efficiency, and the built environment. Lancet 2007; 370: Potential Next Steps Focus on robust solutions and co-benefits Agree upon metrics and indicators Start tracking EPHT Establish and pursue research priorities Cost-effectiveness studies Indoor and outdoor health assessments Various settings, direct and indirect effects Focus on vulnerable populations Communications New metrics (CO 2 e emissions per building, etc.) Feedback tools (meters, etc.) Policies - Building codes, regulations, enforcement 11

12 References Frumkin H, Hess J, Luber G, et al. Climate change: the public health response. AJPH 2008; 98: Younger M, Morrow-Almeida H, Vindigni S, et al. The built environment, climate change, and health: Opportunities for co-benefits. AJPM 2008; 35: Tan J, Zheng Y, Tang X, et al. The urban heat island and its impact on heat waves and human health in Shanghai. Int J Biometeorol 2010; 54: Harlan SL, Brazel AJ, Prashad L, et al. Neighborhood microclimates and vulnerability to heat stress. Soc Sci Med 2006; 63: Stone B, Hess JJ, Frumkin H. Urban form and extreme heat events: Are sprawling cities more vulnerable to climate change than compact cities? Env Health Persp, in press. Wilkinson P, Smith KR, Beevers S, et al. Energy, energy efficiency, and the built environment. Lancet 2007; 370: Levy J, Nishioka Y, Spengler JD. The public health benefits of insulation retrofits in existing housing in the United States. Env Health 2003; 2: 4. Nazaroff WM. Climate change, building energy use, and indoor environmental quality. Indoor Air 2008; 18: Richardson G, Barton A, Basham M, et al. The Watcombe housing study: The short-term effect of improving housing conditions on the indoor environment. Sci Tot Env 2006; 361: Thank you! 12