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Introduction to Extreme Weather Hazards
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These materials are based on the PowerPoint presentation by Jesse Bell, PhD: Claire M. Hubbard, Professor of Water, Climate, and Health, Director of the Water, Climate, and Health Program, University of Nebraska Medical Center.
Links between Climate and Health
Hippocrates wrote about epidemics in 400 B.C.E. and noted the change in weather.
In 1814, Dr. James Tilton, Surgeon General of the Army, directed all hospital surgeons to keep weather records.
Climate Impacts on Health
The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States. This assessment strengthens and expands our understanding of climate-related health impacts by providing a more definitive description of climate-related health burdens in the United States.
Climate-Driven Natural Disasters
. . . the current conditions of the atmosphere.
- Extremely variable.
- What it’s like outside now.
. . . the behavior of the atmosphere over a long period of time.
- Washington state summers vs. winters.
- Florida vs. Washington.
- This year vs. previous years.
"Climate is what you expect, weather is what you get."
Climate Change vs. Climate Variability
- Climate change is a long-term continuous change in the average.
- Average = Climate Normal (e.g., 30 years average).
- Climate variability is fluctuation above or below the long-term average.
- Extreme weather is a weather phenomenon outside the usual historical norms (flooding rains, heat waves, droughts).
What We Know
Impacts Are Happening Now
Mini Lesson: Severe Weather Events
In this mini lesson, you'll find:
- Case studies.
- Definitions.
- Review questions.
Extreme Heat
- Increased temperatures, higher humidity, longer and more frequent heat waves.
- Heat stroke, dehydration, and heat-related illness.
- Vulnerable populations:
- Outdoor workers
- Student athletes
- People in cities
- People without air conditioning
- People with chronic diseases
- Pregnant women
- Older adults
- Young children
Extreme Weather
- Increased frequency and severity of heavy downpours, floods, droughts, and major storms.
- Injury, illness, displacement, and death.
- Vulnerable populations:
- People who lack access to evacuation routes such as low-income and the homeless.
- People who can’t use stairs when elevators are out of service such as people with disabilities and older adults.
In mid-March 2019, Winter Storm Ulmer combined heavy snow and rain with extreme cold, which triggered unprecedented flooding. In Nebraska, four people died, homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed, and thousands of acres of farmland was damaged.
- At least 2 hospitals sustained damage.
- At least a dozen long-term care facilities were evacuated.
- Access to care was hindered by flooded roads and damaged infrastructure.
The Dust Bowl of the 1930s was a period of severe dust storms that damaged the ecology and agriculture of the American and Canadian Great Plains. This phenomenon was caused by severe drought and a failure to apply dryland farming methods to prevent wind erosion and destruction of the natural topsoil. More than 2 million people were left homeless and many fell ill or died of dust pneumonia or malnutrition.
Source: CBS News
Higher temperatures, change in weather patterns, and disrupted ecosystems are leading to the spread of vector-borne diseases.
Due to high water temperatures, rising sea levels, and increased humidity, contaminated food and water is leading to gastrointestinal illnesses.
Air quality issues from wildfires, smog, pollen, and mold, exacerbate asthma, respiratory, and allergy issues. People with heart and respiratory conditions such as heart disease, asthma, or chronic lung disease are vulnerable.
Since 1970, Western wildfire season increased by 78 days.
The frequency and severity of extreme weather events is leading to increased instances of stress, depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts.
Displacement and Conflict
According to The International Committee of the Red Cross, the consequences of climate change are being felt everywhere, and its most crippling effects are borne by the world’s most vulnerable communities, including people living in areas of conflict and violence.
Out of the 20 countries considered the most vulnerable to the impact of climate change (by the ND-Gain Index), 13 are also affected by an armed conflict. People in such circumstances are especially impacted by food insecurity, rising food prices, income losses, health impacts, and displacement.
In Syria, it is estimated that more than 300,000 people have been killed (UN), and there are more than 5.5 million refugees in other countries and 6.7 million internal refugees (NIH).
Public Health Preparations
Hospitals can lead America’s effort by:
- Transitioning to renewable energy.
- Improving the health of community members.
- Investing in preparedness for climate change.
- Protecting vulnerable communities.
- Educating and training the next generation of healthcare professionals.
- Investing in continued education.
Final Thoughts
Climate change is a significant health threat.
All people are vulnerable, but some are more at risk than others.
Costs for extreme weather events are increasing.
There are multiple relationships between climate and the effects on our health.
No one can address these challenges alone, we must work together to combine our expertise.
There are multiple opportunities to address climate change.
References
- Berman, J. D., Ramirez, M. R., Bell, J. E., Bilotta, R., Gerr, F., & Fethke, N. B. (2021). The association between drought conditions and increased occupational psychosocial stress among US farmers: An occupational cohort study. Science of The Total Environment, 149245.
- Ebi, K. L., Vanos, J., Baldwin, J. W., Bell, J. E., Hondula, D. M., Errett, N. A., … & Berry, P. (2021). Extreme weather and climate change: population health and health system implications. Annual review of public health, 42, 293-315.
- Rennie, J., Bell, J. E., Kunkel, K. E., Herring, S., Cullen, H., & Abadi, A. M. (2019). Development of a Submonthly Temperature Product to Monitor Near-Real-Time Climate Conditions and Assess Long-Term Heat Events in the United States. Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, 58(12), 2653-2674.
- Bell, J.E., Brown, C.L., Conlon, K., Herring, S., Kunkel, K.E., Lawrimore, J., Luber, G., Schreck, C., Smith, A., and Uejio, C., 2018. Changes in extreme events and the potential impacts on human health. Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, 68(4), pp.265-287.
- Vins, H., Bell, J.E., Saha, S., & Hess, J. J. (2015). The Mental Health Outcomes of Drought: A Systematic Review and Causal Process Diagram. International journal of environmental research and public health, 12(10), 13251-13275.
- Crimmins, A., J. Balbus, J.L. Gamble, C.B. Beard, J.E. Bell, D. Dodgen, R.J. Eisen, N. Fann, M.D. Hawkins, S.C. Herring, L. Jantarasami, D.M. Mills, S. Saha, M.C. Sarofim, J. Trtanj, and L. Ziska, Eds. USGCRP, 2016: The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific Assessment. U.S. Global Change Research Program, Washington, DC, 312 pp. http://dx.doi.org/10.7930/J0R49NQX
- Bell, J.E., S.C. Herring, L. Jantarasami, C. Adrianopoli, K. Benedict, K. Conlon, V. Escobar, J. Hess, J. Luvall, C.P. Garcia-Pando, D. Quattrochi, J. Runkle, and C. Schreck, (2016). Ch. 4: Impacts of Extreme Events on Human Health. The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States: A Scientific Assessment. U.S. Global Change Research Program, Washington, DC, 99-128.
- Gleick, P. H. (2014). Water, drought, climate change, and conflict in Syria. Weather, climate, and society, 6(3), 331-340.
- Sanchez, Ray. How Puerto Rico’s death toll climbed from 64 to 2,975 in Hurricane Maria. CNN. August 29, 2018.
Image credits
Unless otherwise noted, images are from Adobe Stock.