Canada's Health Concerns from Climate Change and Variability
Canada's climate is being affected by increased levels of greenhouse gases caused by human activity.
Scientists, governments, international health and environmental organizations agree that climate change will affect the environment and human health and well-being.
Health Canada has identified eight significant health concerns related to climate change that cover a broad range. They include health effects from increased smog episodes, illnesses and deaths caused by heat and cold waves, water- and food-borne contamination, diseases transmitted by insects, health effects of stratospheric ozone depletion, and extreme weather events.
Some segments of our population will be affected to a greater degree: children, the elderly, the poor, disabled people, immigrant populations and Aboriginal people. We can also expect that the environmental changes brought by climate change will affect our communities' economy and quality of life. For example, severe weather events like a tornado or a flood can result in loss of income, productivity, increased stress for families, costs to health care and social services.
| Health Concerns |
Examples of Health Vulnerabilities |
Temperature-related morbidity and mortality |
Cold and heat related illnesses |
Respiratory and cardiovascular illnesses |
Increased occupational health risks |
|
Health effects of extreme weather events |
Damaged public health infrastructure |
Injuries and illnesses |
Social and mental health stress due to disasters |
Occupational health hazards |
Population displacement |
|
Air pollution-related health effects |
Changed exposure to outdoor and indoor air pollutants and allergens |
Asthma and other respiratory diseases |
Heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular diseases |
Cancer |
|
Health effects of water- and food-borne contamination |
Diarrheas and intoxication caused by chemical & biological contaminants |
|
Vector-borne and zoonotic diseases |
Changed patterns of diseases caused by bacteria, viruses and other pathogens carried by mosquitos, ticks and other vectors |
|
| Health effects of exposure to ultraviolet rays |
Skin damage and skin cancer |
Cataracts |
Disturbed immune function |
|
Population vulnerabilities in rural and urban communities |
Seniors |
Children |
Chronically ill people |
Low income and homeless people |
Northern residents |
Disabled people |
People living off the land |
|
Socio-economic impacts on community health & well-being |
Loss of income and productivity |
Social disruption |
Diminished quality of life |
Increased costs to health care |
Health effects of mitigation technologies |
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