Even as far back as ancient times, people understood that weather could influence health—Hippocrates wrote 2,400 years ago that anyone practicing medicine must consider seasonal weather changes and their effects on disease. Today, our climate is changing at an unprecedented rate, and this is driving more extreme weather events that pose serious risks to human health.
In this module, we will explore how a warming climate leads to stronger storms, heavier rainfall, longer droughts, and other extremes, and how those hazards translate into injuries, illness, displacement, and death. We’ll examine real-world disasters—from catastrophic floods and hurricanes to historic droughts—to understand their health impacts on communities and healthcare systems.
We’ll also discuss why certain populations are especially vulnerable and the importance of preparedness (for example, what happens when roads, power, and hospitals are knocked out by a disaster).
By the end of this class, you should see clearly how climate change is not only an environmental issue but a direct and growing threat to public health and health equity.
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