"Heat wave to scorch East Coast with record temperatures” —Washington Post
"Limit outdoor activities in Extreme heat, officials warn” — US Weather
”A heat wave not seen in decades is helping to send temperatures soaring for most Americans” —AP News
“Stifling heat wave settles in for the long haul across central, eastern US” — CNN
”Over 1400 structures burned as South Fork wildfire rages in New Mexico and weather becomes erratic” — Axios
These and other recent headlines highlight the toll of extreme weather on physical and mental health as it intersects with economic and infrastructure challenges. It also offers MS Health Professionals of Climate and Health Equity (MSHPCHE) an opportunity to share its initial message that “Climate change is evolving”. But more importantly, we’d like to briefly share two other messages: “Climate change impacts health and does so disproportionately,” and “Climate Solutions are Health Solutions”.
Climatic conditions of excessive heat, droughts, and low humidity predispose to
development of wildfires, leading to exacerbations of primary condition, hospitalizations,
and ED visits in persons with chronic respiratory and cardiac health conditions. Pregnant
and postpartum women are vulnerable to excessive and/or prolonged exposures to air
pollution, including tobacco smoke, smoke from wood cook stoves, as well as wildfire
smoke, increasing risk for preterm delivery. Excessive exposure to heat waves presents a
risk not only for pregnant and postpartum women, but infants, older adults, outdoor
workers, those with chronic respiratory, cardiac, metabolic, mental health disorders and
other disabling/potentially disabling conditions are likewise vulnerable. As we reflect on
Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Awareness Day, June 19th, it is important to remember
that young athletes with chronic respiratory cardiac, and hematological disorders are at
risk for negative impacts of excessive heat exposures. Young athletes and pregnant
women with SCD are especially prone to dehydration during heat waves and/or sudden
changes in temperature, increasing the risk for vast-occlusive episodes and other
morbidities, and therefore making excessive heat preventive strategies a priority.
Generally speaking, persons who are members of racial/ethnic minorities, indigenous
populations, under-resourced and/or marginalized groups are disproportionately affected
by climatic changes due to geographical location (urban heat islands, flood, disaster, pollution, drought, high risk areas) historical and current systemic inequities, and economic status. There are several pathways linking climate change to human health, and they include air pollution, decreased air quality, increased allergens, environmental degradation, expanding vector-borne illness transmission, decreases in food and water quality and security, more frequent and increased climate-related disasters and extremes of weather.
Climate and Health solutions are divided into mitigation (primary prevention) and adaptive
(secondary and tertiary prevention) strategies. A few strategies are listed below and modified from Blessed Tomorrow’s Community Guide (https://blessedtomorrow.org/climate-action-sheet/climate-solutions-for-your-community/)
Go clean. Make sure your community uses and promotes clean energy like wind and solar to keep pollution low and save money. Electrify everything you can and use only renewable energy. Note tax savings, not only for electric vehicles, but also for purchase of solar panels and energy efficient appliances. Your Electric company can conduct an Energy audit to assist.
Energy efficiency is only one of eight components of a Healthy Home (https://www.greenandhealthyhomes.org/home-and-health/elements-green-healthy-home/) which includes indoor air quality.
Clean school buses can be instrumental in decreasing air pollution from idling diesel school buses and protecting the lungs of young children.
Restore thriving nature for our physical and mental health. Plant trees, especially in low-Income neighborhoods. They lower temperatures in urban heat islands (which can be up to 20 degrees higher than neighboring areas) and clean our air and water. Clean waterways, well-maintained parks and individual and community gardens all help protect nature and our community.
Promote Active Transportation. Biking and walking bring communities together and improves health. This climate solution can also prevent heart disease and obesity. Advocate for green ways and walkways in your community that are accessible to all neighborhoods.
Shop local. Support your local neighbors, merchants and farmers by buying local and cut down on pollution in the process. Eating a variety of local, in-season fruits and vegetables is a basic healthy living strategy. Many local farmers use methods to decrease pesticide use and keep the soil healthy, which results in higher quality produce.
Be less wasteful. Consider options to decrease waste of food. Portion control is a first step in a healthy lifestyle and decreasing food waste. Excess food can be donated or even composted before ending up in landfills. Food’s not the only thing which can be recycled. Before discarding items, think about whether it can be reused, repaired, or recycled.
Be Prepared. Severe weather-related disasters often come without adequate warning. Create a Disaster Preparedness Kit and keep it handy at home, work (“grab and go Kit) and in your car. Make certain that you include portable health information and consider solar-powered flashlights/chargers/generators.
Be inclusive. Support people and neighborhoods that have been left out of climate solutions and decision-making because of racism, language barriers, or educational disparities. Advocate for equitable solutions. Remember that climate change affects us all.
Connect with and support local officials who promote and set policies for greening the community, clean energy, smart growth, active transportation, better tree cover, open space and land conservation, and other climate solutions, and engage with them on issues around climate change. You can call or email them when important issues come up for a vote. And vote for your health priorities
Join a local organization working on climate issues. If you are a healthcare, public health, or community health professional/advocate, please join us!
For more information on this topic, explore our website www.msclimatendhealthequity.com/
and Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health: medsocietiesforclimatehealth.org/
Submitted by Gerri A Cannon-Smith MD MPH
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