Jonathan A. Patz|Howard Frumkin|Tracey Holloway|Daniel J. Vimont|Andy Haines
Climate Change
University of Wisconsin Health|University of Wisconsin–Madison|University of Washington|University of Wisconsin–Madison|University of Wisconsin–Madison|London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
health inextricably linked climate change important clinicians understand relationship order discuss associated health risks patients inform public policyto provide new usbased temperature projections downscaled climate modeling review recent studies health risks related climate change cobenefits efforts mitigate greenhouse gas emissionswe searched pubmed google scholar 2009 2014 articles related climate change health focused governmental reports predictive models empirical epidemiological studies 250 abstracts reviewed 56 articles selected addition analyzed climate data averaged 13 climate models based future projections downscaled probability distributions daily maximum temperature 20462065 also compared maximum daily 8hour average ozone air temperature data taken national oceanic atmospheric administration national climate data centerby 2050 many us cities may experience frequent extreme heat days example new york milwaukee may 3 times current average number days hotter 32c 90f high temperatures also strongly associated ozone exceedance days example chicago illinois adverse health aspects related climate change may include heatrelated disorders heat stress economic consequences reduced work capacity respiratory disorders including exacerbated air pollution aeroallergens asthma infectious diseases including vectorborne diseases waterborne diseases childhood gastrointestinal diseases food insecurity including reduced crop yields increase plant diseases mental health disorders posttraumatic stress disorder depression associated natural disasters substantial health economic cobenefits could associated reductions fossil fuel combustion example greenhouse gas emission policies may yield net economic benefit health benefits air quality improvements potentially offsetting cost us international carbon policiesevidence past 20 years indicates climate change associated adverse health outcomes health care professionals important role understanding communicating related potential health concerns cobenefits policies reduce greenhouse gas emissions