Infectious Diseases
- Changing rain and temperature patterns may result in increases in or re-emergence of vector borne (tick or mosquito) diseases such as West Nile Virus (WNV), Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and Lyme disease.
- Isolated cases or clusters of other less common climate-mediated diseases such us Q fever, Hantavirus, and Tularemia, may arise in the coming years.
Suggested individual actions for the public:
- Protect yourself and children from mosquito and tick bites.
- Know the signs of Lyme disease, EEE, and West Nile Virus infection.
- Reduce your family and community impact on climate change.
Suggested public health actions:
- Continue active surveillance for human and animal illness, such as acute encephalitis (brain swelling), during the summer months
- Continue funding of insect virus (arboviral) surveillance via trapping, testing, and analysis.
- Increase regular disease surveillance for human cases of West Nile, EEE, and Lyme Disease.
- Support integrated health surveillance networks, such as the NH Environmental Public Health Tracking program (EPHT).
- Develop a long term policy for insect tracking (vector surveillance) including regular trapping of mosquitoes and ticks.
Severe Weather Injuries
- Changing climate patterns are expected to cause increased precipitation which will most likely occur as fewer, heavier rain events, separated by longer droughts and heat waves.
- More intense weather events will likely cause injuries, such as direct trauma from high winds, heat stress from rising temperatures, and drowning or trauma from flooding.
- Populations at risk include the very old, the very young, and those with chronic illness or poor health status. Special groups with social needs (in poverty, homeless, in shelters, etc.) may need increase social services.
- Additionally, those who spend time outdoors such as laborers and active athletes may be at greater risk for injury.
Suggested individual actions for the public:
- Protect yourself and children by preparing for severe weather events.
- Keep a first aid kit and disaster kit in your home, and know how to use it.
Suggested public health policy actions:
- Develop surveillance tools to track the health effects of extreme weather.
- Identify populations at risk and coordinate with human service agencies to develop and implement prevention and response plans.
- Develop a comprehensive plan for the management of the effects of severe weather including flooding, water damage/mold, ice damage, water shortages, and heat injury.
Respiratory Illness
- Climate change will increase the number of air pollution action days and change the severity and timing of aeroallergen (pollen and mold) events.
- As a result, the lives of people already suffering from asthma, allergies, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other chronic respiratory conditions will be further affected.
- Healthy people in general will have an increased risk of developing respiratory disease and will have to stay indoors more frequently.
- Populations at risk include the very old, very young, homeless, outdoor workers and active athletes.
Suggested actions for the public:
- Protect yourself and children from air pollution by listening for Air Quality Alerts.
- Know your own triggers for asthma/allergies and treat them with environmental controls or appropriate medication.
Suggested public health actions:
- Develop surveillance tools to track the health effects of poor air quality.
- Coordinate human service agencies that serve children and seniors to develop and implement prevention and response plans.
- Provide state-wide communication to the public about air quality and respiratory disease.
- Provide outreach to populations at risk to reduce asthma and allergy events.
References
1Hayhoe K et al. Past and future changes in climate and hydrological indicators in the US Northeast. Climate Dynamics 28(4): 381-407
2Epstein P. Climate change and emerging infectious diseases. Microbes and Infection. Volume 3, Issue 9, July 2001, Pages 747-754
3Greenough G, McGeehin M, et al. The potential impacts of climate variability and change on health impacts of extreme weather events in the United States. Environ Health Perspectives. 2001 May; 109 (Suppl 2): 191-198
4 Breton M, et al. Relationship between climate, pollen concentrations of Ambrosia and medical consultations for allergic rhinitis in Montreal, 1994-2002. Science of the Total Environment Volume 370, Issue 1, 15 October 2006, Pages 39-50.
Climate and Health Effects in North America
Climate and Health Effects in New Hampshire
- New Hampshire Fact Sheet – Confronting Climate Change in the Northeast
(Union of Concerned Scientists, 2007) - Confronting Climate Change in the US Northeast: Science, Impacts and Solutions , A Report of the Northeast Climate Impacts Assessment (Prepared by Northeast Climate Impacts Assessment Synthesis Team, July 2007)
- Indicators of Climate Change in the Northeast , Clean Air-Cool Planet and Cameron P. Wake of the UNH Climate Research Center (2005)
NH Government Actions to Address Climate Change
- NH Climate Change Policy Task Force and Climate Change Action Plan
- Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
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