6/26/2014 Climate Change & Human Health

Climate Change & Human Health

A changing climate impacts our health and wellbeing. The major public health organizations
Featured Science
of the world have said that climate change is a critical public health problem. Climate
change makes many existing diseases and conditions worse, but it may also help Third National Climate
introduce new pests and pathogens into new regions or communities. As the planet warms, Assessment (NCA) released
oceans expand and the sea level rises, floods and droughts become more frequent and by the U.S. Global Change
intense, and heat waves and hurricanes become more severe. The most vulnerable people Research Program. The NCA
—children, the elderly, the poor, and those with underlying health conditions—are at represents the most accurate
increased risk for health effects from climate change. Climate change also stresses our and expertly reviewed
health care infrastructure and delivery systems. science on climate change’s
current impacts in the United
Steps can be taken to lessen climate change (“mitigation”) and reduce its impacts on our States, as well as projected
health and the health of future generations (“adaptation”). Some of these steps can yield impacts over the next several
benefits for our health, environment, economy, and society at the same time. The federal decades. Chapter 9 of the
government has called for efforts to support adaptation and mitigation of climate change to NCA focuses on impacts on
create healthier, more sustainable communities. The goals of the NIEHS Climate Change Human Health.
and Human Health Program align with these efforts.
National Climate
Assessment: Health
Chapter Video

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6/26/2014 Climate Change & Human Health
Figure 1: Changes in greenhouse gas concentrations and other drivers change our
global climate altering the human; mitigation alters climate and both mitigation and
adaptation alter the human environment; the predominant impact on human health is
through environmental changes as a result of climate change although there are direct
impacts from both climate changes and mitigation/adaptation.

Goals:

Provide research on human health impacts related to climate change and adaptation
Raise awareness and create new partnerships to advance key areas of health research and knowledge development on
human health effects of climate change
Serve as an authoritative source of information on human health effects of climate change for NIEHS stakeholders, including
the public
Represent NIEHS science in climate change research and policy activities at the NIH, HHS, federal government, and
international levels

Contacts
John M. Balbus, M.D.
(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/about/od/advisor/balbus/index.cfm)

Senior Advisor for Public Health

National Institute of Environmental Health
Sciences
31 Center Drive
Room B1CO2
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-2256
Tel (301) 496-2920
Fax (301) 496-0563
balbusjm@niehs.nih.gov

Caroline Dilworth, Ph.D.

(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/supported/dert/phb/dilworth/index.cfm)

Health Scientist Administrator

Tel (919) 541-7727

Fax (919) 316-4606
dilw orthch@niehs.nih.gov

Banalata (Bono) Sen, Ph.D.

Program Coordinator

Tel (919) 541-4692

senb@niehs.nih.gov

Kimberly Thigpen Tart, J.D.

Program Analyst

Tel (919) 541-5377

Fax (301) 496-0563
thigpenk@niehs.nih.gov

Related Links
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6/26/2014 Climate Change & Human Health

A Human Health Perspective on Climate Change (Full Report) (4MB)

Climate Change and Human Health - NIEHS Fact Sheet (907KB)

Climate Change in the American Mind

Health Effects of Climate Change
Interagency Crosscutting Group on Climate Change and Human Health (CCHHG) (2MB)
National Climate Assessment Full Report
National Climate Assessment Highlights
National Climate Assessment Report – Human Health

NIEHS Human Health Implications of Climate Change Research Projects (302KB)

NIH launches research program to explore health effects from climate change
(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsroom/releases/2011/october06/index.cfm)
Panel highlights climate change science that can improve global health
(http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/newsletter/2013/4/spotlight-panel/index.htm)
President's Climate Action Plan
President Obama's Plan to Fight Climate Change Infographic

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