U.S. Global Change Research Program Releases 2016 Scientific Climate and Health Assessment

It is predicted that climate change exacerbates some existing health threats and creates new public health challenges. In the 2016 Climate and Health Assessment, the U.S. Global Change Research Program encompasses multiple health hazards that may be seen in the upcoming years such as: (1) Increase in temperature-related death and illness; (2) Air quality impacts—increased health impacts from wildfires; (4) Extreme events—higher exposure to projected droughts and flooding ; (5) Vector-borne diseases—change in mosquito born disease dynamics; (6) Water-related illness—runoff from extreme events would contaminate sources of drinking water; (7) Food safety, nutrition, and distribution;  (8) Mental health and well-being; and (9) Populations of concern—socioeconomic factors may amplify or influence climate-related health effects. The overall findings in this health assessment underscore the significance of the growing risk climate change poses to human health not only within the United States, but globally as well. Read more here.