Introduction to heat impacts
Connect to prior learning In the Droughts and Extreme Heat Waves section of the Extreme Weather Hazards Module, you learned that heat waves are one type of extreme weather event, and you were introduced to vulnerable populations affected by heat. This module builds on that foundation by examining heat as a chronic and recurrent public health threat—not […]
Final thoughts: Extreme weather hazards
In this module, we explored how extreme weather events—supercharged by climate change—translate into profound challenges for public health. You learned how heavy storms and floods can injure and kill in the blink of an eye, set off domino effects like disease outbreaks (e.g., post-hurricane infections), and disrupt healthcare systems. We saw that droughts can be […]
Vulnerability and preparedness: The human factor
Throughout this module, a recurring theme is that not everyone is affected equally when extreme weather strikes. Vulnerable populations bear a disproportionate share of the harm. These vulnerable groups include: Low-income and resource-limited communities Disasters tend to hit hardest in poorer neighborhoods or regions. These communities may live in higher-risk areas (floodplains, sub-standard housing, and drought-prone rural areas) […]
Droughts and extreme heat waves
A farm family walks through a Dust Bowl dust storm in Oklahoma, 1936. The 1930s Dust Bowl drought turned vast areas of the Great Plains into a “dust desert,” causing crop failure, mass migration, and illnesses like “dust pneumonia.” If floods are the dramatic deluge, droughts are the slow-burning disaster. Drought means an abnormally long period of […]
Final thoughts: Climate change and mental health
Key takeaways The core message Climate change impacts mental health through multiple pathways—from acute trauma after disasters to chronic anxiety about the future. These impacts are not equally distributed; marginalized communities bear the greatest burden. As physicians, you have roles at multiple levels: Clinical care, community resilience building, and advocacy for climate action and health […]
Storms, hurricanes, and floods
An aerial view of extreme flooding: New Orleans inundated in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina (2005). Such catastrophic floods illustrate how powerful storms can devastate entire regions, endanger lives, and incapacitate critical infrastructure. Heavy precipitation One of the clearest signals of climate change is a marked increase in heavy precipitation and flooding events. A warmer […]
Climate change and mental health references
These are the references used in the creation of this module. If you have an interest in any of these topics, feel free to dive deeper. Systematic reviews and foundational literature Charlson F, Ali S, Benmarhnia T, Pearl M, Massazza A, Augustinavicius J, Scott JG. Climate Change and Mental Health: A Scoping Review. International Journal […]
Introduction to climate change and mental health
Climate change represents one of the greatest threats to human health in the 21st century. While much attention has focused on physical health impacts such as heat-related illness, respiratory disease, and vector-borne infections, the mental health consequences of climate change are increasingly recognized as substantial and far-reaching. critical insight After the physical devastation of climate […]
Integrating climate considerations into practice
Climate change represents a defining health challenge of our era, with profound mental health consequences. As future physicians, you will care for patients experiencing the full spectrum of climate-related psychological impacts. Be able to Explain mental health consequences Climate disasters produce: PTSD. Depression. Anxiety. Chronic stress. Eco-anxiety and solastalgia represent new forms of climate-related distress. […]
Knowledge check
Questions These questions are for self-study only. Answers will not be evaluated or saved. Apply your knowledge of climate justice and clinical interventions. Question 1 An undocumented farmworker presents with anxiety and depression following crop failures from drought. Which factors create intersecting vulnerabilities for this patient’s mental health? (Select all that apply.) Explanation This patient […]