12 record(s) found.

Climate Change and Public Health in Nunavik and Labrador: What we know from Science and Traditional Knowledge

This project aims to support Northern public health, environment and economic decision makers in developing a better understanding of climate change processes and potential health impacts on the people of Nunavik and Labrador. Western scientific and traditional Inuit knowledge will be collected and synthesized in a balanced and accessible manner, to be used to identify and develop potential strategies to respond and adapt to short and long-term climate changes.

Project Status: Complete

The Impact of Climate Change on Food Security on Three Northern Aboriginal Communities – Plans for Adaptation

This study will investigate the potential health impacts of climate change on three northern aboriginal communities; Beaver Creek, Yukon; Fort Providence, Northwest Territories; and Kangiqsujuaq, Québec (Nunavik). Results will enable a better understanding of the specific impacts climate change is having and will have on aspects of aboriginal communities traditional food security in the North. Its overall goal is to help communities and health professionals characterize the specific nutrient and contaminant related impacts resulting from changes in country food availability related to climatic change.

Project Status: In Progress

Climate Change Induced Increases in Organic Particles (pollen and spores) Concentrations and their Potential Impacts on Respiratory Illnesses in Vulnerable Populations in Urban Areas

The chief objective of this study is to examine the impact of climate change on urban air quality. This study has a two pronged approach: - to create scenarios for modelling a rise in pollen levels based on spatio-temporal dynamics of climate change; and - to determine how climate, vegetation and geography affect these environmental dynamics The researchers will evaluate the dynamic between pollen productivity, climate and the health of the population of Montreal and Quebec City and ultimately establish indicators of vulnerability following critical pollen episodes.

Project Status: In Progress

Feasibility of Identifying Heat-Related Illness and Deaths As a Basis for Effective Climate Change Risk Management and Adaptation

This study examined whether health care records for hospital visits were suitable for assessing heat-related health effects. Researchers looked at relationships between heat-related illnesses and heat stress periods (air temperatures greater than or equal to 30ºC) between 1992 and 1999. In comparing Ottawa, Ontario and London, Ontario they found that Ottawa had almost twice as many heat stress periods (22 vs. 12), and Ottawa hospitals treated more than double the amount of patients for heat-related health problems (117 vs. 53). The researchers concluded that medical records may be useful for monitoring health effects of heat, and identifying vulnerable population groups in different cities and regions.

Project Status: Complete

Adaptation Strategies to Reduce Health Risks from Summer Heat in Toronto

In June 2001, public health adaptation measures were implemented in Metropolitan Toronto to help protect residents from extreme heat and cold events. Extensive collaborations between many different governmental (e.g., emergency services, housing services, libraries) and non-governmental organizations (e.g., pharmacy chains, seniors' networks) were established to help protect more vulnerable population groups, such as seniors and homeless people from thermal extremes. Some examples of the adaptation strategies implemented include: - Extreme cold weather and extreme heat announcements via news media, - Active intervention by public health and volunteer agencies (e.g., street patrols to locate and care for homeless people), - Increased availability and accessibility of heated and air conditioned public buildings, drop-in centres and sheltersNew guidelines for managing long-term care facilities.

Project Status: Complete

Adapting Health Infrastructures to Cope with the Health Effects of Climate Change: A Case Study in the Toronto-Niagara Region

To overcome barriers to effective adaptation, researchers recommend the following: - Integrate efforts to develop coordinated responses to climate change and health; - Expand existing monitoring, reporting and surveillance networks to include climate-related health impacts; - Increase and improve professional and public education of adaptive actions; - Involve organizations, such as the Canadian Associated of Physicians for the Environment in education campaigns; - Learn and build from past experiences to develop organizational structure for proceeding with an adaptation action plan.

Project Status: Complete

Full Report Location: Link available

Impacts of Climate Change on the Spread of Lyme Disease in Canada

A multidisciplinary team of specialists will study the unique distribution of Lyme disease in Canada to determine the role that climate plays in its distribution and ecology. Research will focus on the transmission of the disease, identification of geographically vulnerable populations and the potential impacts of climate change. The team will examine the capacity of Canadians to respond to these impacts and assess current public health measures to respond to Lyme disease. Results will provide Canadian public health policy makers and practitioners with tools to assess appropriate social and environmental interventions as an adaptation to climate change.

Project Status: In Progress

Climate Change and Human Behaviour

Using statistical analysis, researchers examined the relationship between daily meteorological conditions (temperature, humidity, rain, snow and wind) and the number of crimes, automobile accidents and suicides in the Montreal area. They found that automobile accidents tended to increase on days with precipitation, while violent crimes were more common on warm and humid days. Suicide rates did not appear to be influenced by weather. The researchers also compared crime statistics for January 1997 and January 1998, to examine how the 1998 Ice Storm affected crime rates in three Quebec communities. They found that crime rates were generally lower during the Ice Storm.

Project Status: Complete

Awareness of risks and actions considered and taken in response to intense heat by non-institutionalised patients with chronic heart or lung disease

Among those at greatest risk from high summer temperatures are people with chronic heart and lung disease. Given our aging population and the projected increase in the frequency and severity of heat waves, heat-related illnesses have emerged as an important public health concern. The project team will examine people's awareness of the health risks of heat and their capacity to take action to keep cool. The findings will help clinicians who treat chronic disease patients to include prevention of heat-related illness in their treatment plans, and will contribute to the development of health promotion strategies and materials.

Project Status: In Progress

A multi-centre Approach to Investigate the Health Impacts of Extreme Heat and Cold Events due to Climate Change and Climate Variation

In order to assess the effects of extreme heat and cold periods on the health of the population, it is necessary to understand the relationship between health and climate under current and past conditions. This project will attempt to assess the prevalence of illness, injury and death as a result of extreme heat and cold events through the collection and evaluation of administrative health data in the form of mortality, hospital admissions, emergency room, physician billing files, and trauma data from different sentinel health centres across Canada. These centres include: Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Quebec City, Ottawa and Halifax. Linking the regional health data to synoptic weather classifications of extreme heat and cold events over an approximate 10 year period, will provide new knowledge regarding the vulnerability of certain populations and/or regions and establish the need for a surveillance system to monitor associated health impacts to climate variability. This information can then be used for more accurate assessments of health effects of climate change in Canada, and provide policy and decision-makers with a scientific basis for adaptation measures needed.

Project Status: In Progress

Les changements climatiques l´eau potable et la santé humaine au Nunavik: strategies d´adaptation

Permafrost degradation could exacerbate the contamination of the potable water supply and consequently the health of Inuit communities in Nunavik. Researchers will examine current practices for managing potable water in four communities and document occurrences of gastro-intestinal sickness. They will also identify criteria for developing an effective monitoring system, based on environmental indicators that will help to detect and prevent water contamination.

Project Status: Complete

Climate Changes, Wildfires and Respiratory Ailments in Northern Saskatchewan

The purpose of this study is to examine relationships between wildfire and respiratory health in Northern Saskatchewan and to estimate possible impacts of climate change on these relationships. Once established, the relationships will enable the identification of adaptation options. Suitable methodologies and integrated databases will be developed to correlate respiratory ailments in Northern Saskatchewan with recent (25 years) wildfire history. Global climate models will be used to model possible future changes in climate and wildfire patterns. The results will be compared between Northern or Boreal Shield Ecozone, Commercial Forest or Boreal Plain Ecozone and Southern or Parkland Ecoregion with differing wildfire risk levels. Possible future patterns of respiratory ailments will be linked to modeled future climate and wildfire patterns. A workshop will be held with stakeholders to discuss the study findings and possible adaptation options.

Project Status: Complete

Full Report Location: Link available