Climate Change and How it Affects Global Health by Laila Serghini-Monim https://padlet.com/lserghinimon2015/y2fwobavm2fy This wall will discuss the various effects Climate Change has on Global Health. en-us 2019-11-10 00:14:53 UTC 2024-11-17 02:54:35 UTC hello@padlet.com 1. What is Climate Change? lserghinimon2015 https://padlet.com/lserghinimon2015/y2fwobavm2fy/wish/409081217 According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, also known as NASA, Climate Change is the dramatic heating of the earth caused by carbon dioxide and other gases being released into the atmosphere, trapping the heat rather than letting it escape into space (Climate Change Evidence: How Do We Know).  This build up of heat can cause a variety of different effects on the planet like increasing temperatures on a global scale, causing severe weather, rising sea-levels, and more. It is evident that this process is only increasing over time, which makes it a global threat.

The graphic below is a time series from NASA that displays the changes in temperature in Fahrenheit over time (Global Surface Temperature). ]]> 2019-11-10 00:22:40 UTC https://padlet.com/lserghinimon2015/y2fwobavm2fy/wish/409081217 2. Health Overview lserghinimon2015 https://padlet.com/lserghinimon2015/y2fwobavm2fy/wish/409081268 Overall, the changing climate can can take a toll on the body itself and on the environment people live in, leading to problems with health. This includes:
  • Heat and organ problems
  • Increases in diseases carried by Mosquitoes
  • Problems in water sanitation
  • Housing problems 
  • Issues with nutrition 
]]> 2019-11-10 00:23:11 UTC https://padlet.com/lserghinimon2015/y2fwobavm2fy/wish/409081268 3. Feeling the Heat lserghinimon2015 https://padlet.com/lserghinimon2015/y2fwobavm2fy/wish/409081292 As the temperatures increase due to the greenhouse effect, people across all continents will see warmer climates. Although this comes at a price on people's health, especially regions who are not used to hot temperatures. According to the National Institute of Environmental Health Science, Climate Change can make the following health problems a lot more common (Effects of Heat):
  • Heat Stress / Exhaustion -  When the body is exposed to excess heat, it can cause problems for cognitive abilities as well for the body. This includes confusion, sweating, and nausea. 
  • Heat Stroke - The body reaches temperatures of 104 F degrees and more. It leads to seizures and fainting. Organs can also be at risk of being damaged (Heatstroke). 
  • Heat Death - When the body becomes too hot to support itself and the organs shut down. During the summer of 2018, within 15 days there were 700 excess deaths in England and Wales, which are areas that are not used to hot temperatures (Sengupta).
]]> 2019-11-10 00:23:25 UTC https://padlet.com/lserghinimon2015/y2fwobavm2fy/wish/409081292 7. Issues with Nutrition lserghinimon2015 https://padlet.com/lserghinimon2015/y2fwobavm2fy/wish/409081491 Severe weather from climate change not only has an effect on people's homes but on their food as well. 
Flooding can drown crops and animals. It can cause toxic chemical and diseases to run off into the plants and water (Foodborne Diseases and Nutrition). Animals can consume the unsanitary food and water, which are later eaten by humans. 
On the other hand, areas that experience severe droughts are at risk of having their crops die or burn in wildfires. In poor, rural locations the lack of crops can make a big difference and destroy a community's main source of food. If it persists over long periods of time, the people and their animals can suffer from malnutrition. ]]> 2019-11-10 00:25:23 UTC https://padlet.com/lserghinimon2015/y2fwobavm2fy/wish/409081491 4. Mosquitoes and Diseases lserghinimon2015 https://padlet.com/lserghinimon2015/y2fwobavm2fy/wish/409081580 Mosquitoes are a major carrier of diseases. Since they prefer warmer climates they are mostly found in hot southern areas. But as some regions see their temperatures rise, mosquitoes are now able to move into places they previously could not (Sengupta). It also means that they are introducing their diseases into new areas. Governments would need to put more resources into finding vaccines to combat these diseases. But, in the meantime, the spread of these diseases can cause a rise in illnesses, putting vulnerable populations like children and the elderly highly at risk.]]> 2019-11-10 00:26:04 UTC https://padlet.com/lserghinimon2015/y2fwobavm2fy/wish/409081580 5. Water Sanitation lserghinimon2015 https://padlet.com/lserghinimon2015/y2fwobavm2fy/wish/409081832 Water is crucial for people to be able to clean, drink and overall have a healthy life. But if the water is not clean, it can lead to detrimental health. Rising sea-levels due to climate change, can cause sewers and unsanitary water to run off into water sources and areas that were previously clean. This can be a real problem in rural areas and countries that lack the proper resources, but it can also be a serious threat in first-world countries. For example, a study conducted in Miami-Dade, found that by 2040, 64% of county septic tanks would face yearly malfunctions due to rising sea-levels, which will cause problems for sewage treatment, water supply, and the health of those that have to live in those areas (Harris).]]> 2019-11-10 00:27:56 UTC https://padlet.com/lserghinimon2015/y2fwobavm2fy/wish/409081832 8. References lserghinimon2015 https://padlet.com/lserghinimon2015/y2fwobavm2fy/wish/409085317 Booker, B., & Allen, G. (2019, August 26). 4 Former Staffers Face Charges Over Nursing Home Deaths After Hurricane Irma. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/2019/08/26/754400472/four-former-staffers-face-charges-nursing-home-deaths-after-hurricane-irma.

Climate Change Evidence: How Do We Know? (2019, September 30). Retrieved from https://climate.nasa.gov/evidence/.

Climate Change Indicators: Tropical Cyclone Activity. (2016, December 17). Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicators-tropical-cyclone-activity.

Effects of Heat. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/programs/geh/climatechange/health_impacts/heat/index.cfm.

Foodborne Diseases and Nutrition. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/programs/geh/climatechange/health_impacts/foodborne_diseases/index.cfm.

Harris, A. (2019, January 10). A $3 billion problem: Miami-Dade's septic tanks are already failing due to sea rise. Retrieved from https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/environment/article224132115.html.

Heatstroke. (2017, August 15). Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heat-stroke/symptoms-causes/syc-20353581.

Global Surface Temperature. (2019, April 24). Retrieved from https://climate.nasa.gov/vital-signs/global-temperature/.

Sengupta, S., & Pierre-louis, K. (2018, November 28). Study Warns of Cascading Health Risks From the Changing Climate. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/28/climate/climate-change-health.html.


]]> 2019-11-10 01:08:38 UTC https://padlet.com/lserghinimon2015/y2fwobavm2fy/wish/409085317 6. Housing and Extreme Weather lserghinimon2015 https://padlet.com/lserghinimon2015/y2fwobavm2fy/wish/412451166 As the climate gets hotter, it will result in more extreme weather, such as storms, hurricanes, and fires. These conditions threaten people's homes and ways of life. Lets take the strength of hurricanes for example. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency,  from 1950 to 2010 hurricanes on average have increased from 3 PDI to 6 PDI (Climate Change Indicators). 
When homes get destroyed, it leaves people suffering mentally from stress, as well as vulnerable to the elements. 
For example, during Hurricane Irma, a retirement home had their air conditioning lose power, and it sadly lead to the deaths of 14 residents (Booker & Allen). 

The following graphic from the United States EPA indicates the Power Dissipation Index (PDI), and sea surface temperature of hurricanes over the decades (Climate Change Indicators).]]> 2019-11-17 23:09:22 UTC https://padlet.com/lserghinimon2015/y2fwobavm2fy/wish/412451166