Climate change and rising energy costs will change everything: A new mindset and action plan for 21st Century public health

Climate change is negatively impacting the health of Canadians and is accordingly expected to have a significant impact on public health agencies and their response to these health impacts throughout the twenty-first century. While national and international research and assessments have explored the potential human health impacts of climate change, few assessments have explored the implications of climate change from a local public health perspective. An applied research approach to expand local knowledge and action of health vulnerabilities through a climate change action plan and vulnerability assessment was utilized by a local public health agency. Adoption and adaptation of the approach used may be valuable for public health organizations to assist their communities. Through completing a vulnerability assessment, an evidentiary base was generated for public health to inform adaptation actions to reduce negative health impacts and increase resiliency. Challenges in completing vulnerability assessments at the local level include the framing and scoping of health impacts and associated indicators, as well as access to internal expertise surrounding the analysis of data. While access to quantitative data may be limiting at the local level, qualitative data can enhance knowledge of local impacts, while also supporting the creation of key partnerships with community stakeholders which can ensure climate action continues beyond the scope of the vulnerability assessment.

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Wider Action Plan and Multidisciplinar Approach Could Be a Wining Idea in Creation of Friendly Environment

Journal of Environmental and Public Health ◽

10.1155/2012/473427 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2012 ◽

pp. 1-7

Author(s):

Natasa Gojkovic-Bukvic ◽

Nenad Bukvic

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Climate Change ◽

Performance Indicators ◽

Action Plan ◽

Phenotypic Expression ◽

Population Level ◽

Health Science ◽

Genomic Variation ◽

Supportive Environment ◽

Environmental Health Science

Herein, we proposed planning of wide transdisciplinary actions, which bring a solution for economic activity such as transportation, strongly related to pollution output with possible repercussions on climate change and public health. To solve logistics problem by introduction of common intermodal policy, and creation of more friendly transport solution, it is possible to obtain sustainable development, climate change prevention, government policy, and regulation which are all related to human health and creation of health-supportive environment. This approach permits environmental and biological monitoring same as economic results measurement by key performance indicators. This approach implementing emerging scientific knowledge in environmental health science such as genetic epidemiology aimed at understanding how genomic variation impacts phenotypic expression and how genes interact with the environment at the population level with subsequent translation into practical information for clinicians as well as for public health policy creation.

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Environmental and Climate Change Initiatives in Nursing Education

Annual Review of Nursing Research ◽

10.1891/0739-6686.38.131 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 38 (1) ◽

pp. 131-144

Author(s):

Phyllis Eide ◽

Tamara Odom-Maryon

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Climate Change ◽

Nursing Education ◽

Global Health ◽

Human Health ◽

21St Century ◽

Climate Change Impacts ◽

Extreme Weather Events ◽

Public Health Issue ◽

Change Initiatives

Climate change has been labeled the greatest threat to public health and to global health in the 21st century. Addressing climate change has also been reframed as the greatest opportunity for global health in the 21st century, providing a more proactive lens through which to plan and implement actions. Significant climate change impacts to human health are numerous and mounting, including the direct effects of heatwaves, thermal stress and changed frequency or intensity of other extreme weather events. Climate change has been termed a complex public health issue affecting all areas of nursing practice dealing with individuals, families, communities, and the national health arena, and is therefore deserving of inclusion into nursing curricula throughout the entirety of prelicensure coursework. Nursing education programs that include this content will better prepare future nurses to face projected environmental challenges to human health.

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