Climate Change: A Paradigm Shift to a Health Issue
Julie Holt
4/9/20242 min read
As we mark American National Public Health Week and Canadian Public Health Week in the early weeks of April, it's crucial to highlight an issue significantly impacting public health: climate change. In 2015, the Lancet aptly declared that "Tackling climate change could be the greatest global health opportunity of the 21st century."
From extreme weather events to the spread of infectious diseases through mosquitos in warmer climates and the exacerbation of chronic conditions from wildfire smoke, the health consequences of climate change are diverse and far-reaching. All it takes is viewing the daily news for reminders of severe weather events of how real climate change is and how widespread its effects are.
Protecting personal and public health emerges as a primary motivator for climate action. This positions healthcare and public health professionals uniquely to effect change. Drawing parallels to past successful public health campaigns such as requiring car seats for children and smoking cessation, professionals can leverage their credibility to address climate change.
The good news, the general concern about climate change is widespread. A survey conducted in 2022 by ecoAmerica revealed 75% of people expressed being 'Very' or 'Somewhat Concerned' about climate change. Why is this such good news? Public health doesn’t need to change overall opinions like the uphill battle that existed with smoking cessation. People are concerned about climate change and seeing the impacts to their health as a real issue, the work is in the next steps to impact that change.
Healthcare professionals may feel unequipped to engage with climate change discussions. However, resources like the ClimateRx and The WHO's new toolkit with Health Alliance's provide valuable guidance and insights.
Taking action may seem daunting, but progress often starts with small steps. Much like past public health campaigns, change is gradual. Encouraging individuals to view climate change as a health issue and promoting behaviors that prioritize health and sustainability create progress, and is even a process within public health professionals themselves.
An excerpt from ClimateRx's section around Air Quality breaks information down into digestible formats:
Know your air quality risks:
Check daily air forecasts and plan activities accordingly.
Identify areas with polluted air and recognize signs of respiratory distress.
Protect yourself from polluted air:
Avoid outdoor activities during high pollution levels and consider wearing masks.
Ensure homes have high-quality air filters.
Keep polluted air out of your home:
Insulate homes properly and consider switching to electric appliances to reduce emissions.
This is an example of starting with basic education to better prepare people as a simple actionable step. Especially in geographical areas where air monitoring may be a new habit to adapt with changing climates. The wildfires in Quebec in 2023 caused haze throughout the Great Lakes Region in Toronto, Detroit and spread southward, as far as Missouri and Kentucky, areas that previously haven’t been impacted by wildfire smoke, if a similar fire season is seen, these communities will need to adapt to new habits that fire zones have incorporated for years. ClimateRx is specific to the US for geographical information, hopefully we will see other countries develop similar resources as climate change certainly isn't limited by traditional country borders.
Earth Day is coming up on April 22, the perfect time to start thinking about a climate solution that motivates you and has immediate benefits to you and your loved ones. Check out ClimateRx for a few ideas if you need some inspiration.
References and Additional Links
ClimateRx
Lancet Countdown https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(23)01859-7/abstract
More American's Are Concerned About Climate Change Than You Think https://ecoamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/acps-2022-vol-i.pdf
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