Climate Change and Health in Springfield Springfield Public Health Council May 20, 2015 Sarita Hudson Pioneer Valley Asthma Coalition Manager Partners for a Healthier Community
What is Causing Climate Change? Source: US National Park Service
What is Causing Climate Greenhouse effect Change? Warming that results when the atmosphere traps heat radiating from Earth toward space. Greenhouse gases: Carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide, methane, Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), water vapor Humans have increased atmospheric CO 2 concentration by a third since the Industrial Revolution began.
Climate Change Impacts Rising Temperatures and Heat Waves Increased Precipitation and Flooding Extreme Weather Events
Rising Temperatures Source: http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/science/causes.html
Higher Temperatures How much higher? Increase of temperature of 2-5 degrees during the day* Increase of up to 22 degrees at night* Who s impacted more? Urban Heat Island Effect Northeast & Midwest *PVPC Green Infrastructure Plan 2013
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/file:urban_heat_island_profile.gif
Heat Island Effect Urban areas with concrete and asphalt and few green spaces Example: Springfield Streets that lost tree canopy in the 2011 tornado are 8 warmer than those that weren t impacted* * Pat Sullivan, Springfield Parks, Buildings & Recreation Management
Rain and Flooding 50% increase in precipitation in last 50 years *PVPC Climate Action and Green Energy Plan 2014
Vulnerable Neighborhoods Brightwood South End *PVPC Climate Action and Green Energy Plan 2014
Extreme Weather Events Increase in conditions that lead to extreme weather 2011 Tornadoes $90 M in damages Damaged homes, businesses, schools 2011 October Snowstorm $14 M in damages Loss of trees, Power outages
Health Concerns in Springfield
Asthma 1 in 5 school children have asthma (21%) vs 12% statewide 18% of adults have asthma
Stroke and Hypertension ER visits for hypertension are double the statewide rate Hospitalizations for stroke are 15% higher than the state In 2011, heart disease (including coronary heart disease and rheumatic heart disease) was the leading cause of death in Springfield, whereas cancer was the leading cause of death in the state overall.
Obesity Springfield has high rates compared to that of the state overall. 67% of adults are overweight or obese* 42% of children are overweight or obese** *MDPH BRFSS **MDPH, Status of Childhood Weight in MA, 2011
Mental Health Springfield has double the rates of depression and mental health hospitalizations as statewide *MDPH BRFSS *MDPH 2009-2011 Inpatient Hospitalization Discharge Dataset
Springfield has the highest risk for Lead Poisoning in MA 87% of homes have lead paint 287 cases of blood lead poisoning (2010-2014) Rate per 1,000 Lead Poisoning Incidence Rate January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2014 10 8 6 4 2 0 Springfield Massachusetts Source: Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
Health Equity Springfield Health Equity Report http://www.partnersforahealthiercommunity.org/health-equity
How does climate change impact health Rising Temperatures and Heat Waves Increased Precipitation and Flooding Extreme Weather Events
High Heat Who s impacted? People with Asthma and lung diseases* Cardiovascular (hypertension, stroke, etc) Obesity Diabetes Depression Elderly Children** *Bernstein AS, Rice, MB. Lungs in a Warming World: Climate Change & Respiratory Health, Chest, May 2013 **Kovatz 2008
Who is most vulnerable Elderly Low income Low English Proficiency Non-white Children
Environmental Justice Communities Disproportionate exposure to environmental hazards Rates of poverty or ethnic minorities above the regional average
MA Environmental Public Health Tracking Program Website Springfield residents among most vulnerable to heat
Heat Vulnerability MA Environmental Public Health Tracking Program Website
Like a sunburn on your lungs Ozone Pollution *Bernstein AS, Rice, MB. Lungs in a Warming World: Climate Change & Respiratory Health, Chest, May 2013
Pollen Warming temperatures -> extended pollen season Higher CO 2 -> greater pollen production *Bernstein AS, Rice, MB. Lungs in a Warming World: Climate Change & Respiratory Health, Chest, May 2013
Property Damage to Homes Greater exposure to hazards Lead Asbestos Mold* Pest infestation* Mold and Pests are triggers for asthma
Flooding Combined storm runoff/sewage Dam Failures
What can we do?
CDC's Building Resilience Against Climate Effects (BRACE) Framework
Climate action plan
Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions More public transit Switch to cleaner fuels Increase options for walking and biking Enforce and expand anti-idling measures
Green Springfield Plant more trees and green spaces Rain Gardens Urban agriculture Mitigate air pollution from highways with barriers and green space
Disaster Preparedness Cooling shelters and air conditioners Water supply planning Alternative power options for power outages Food security
Community Involvement
Contact: Sarita Hudson Pioneer Valley Asthma Coalition Manager Partners for a Healthier Community pioneervalleyasthmacoalition@gmail.com Sarita.Hudson@baystatehealth.org www.pvasthmacoalition.org 413.794.7600