Climate Change, Environmental Health and Non-Communicable Diseases
John M. Balbus, MD, MPH
Senior Advisor for Public Health National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
PHI Side Event at UN High Level Meeting on Non-Communicable Diseases
September 19, 2011
Overview
• Environmental factors cause a significant fraction of Non-Communicable Diseases
• Global epidemics of diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease are creating ever-growing populations with increased vulnerability to climate change stressors
• Policies and solutions put in place to address climate change can have significant benefits for NCD’s, and vice versa
Global burden of disease due to the modifiable environment
http://www.who.int/quantifying_ehimpacts/en/
The environmental burden of disease
Pruss-Ustun and Corvalán, 2006
Identifying synergies and opportunities for co-benefits
“Rest assured, in this day and age, ever more sophisticated and costly medicines, devices, and technologies will not be able to save the situation. They will not avert an impending disaster. Only smart, farsighted policies can do this.”
Dr. Margaret ChanDirector-General of the World Health OrganizationOpening remarks at the WHO Global Forum27 April 2011
Meeting research needs
• Asthma, respiratory allergies and airway diseases
• Cancer
• Cardiovascular disease and stroke
• Foodborne diseases and nutrition
• Heat-related morbidity and mortality
• Human developmental effects
• Mental health and stress-related disorders
• Neurological diseases and disorders
• Vectorborne and zoonotic diseases
• Weather related morbidity and mortality
Asthma, Respiratory Allergies, and Airway Diseases
May become more prevalent because of:
• increased human exposure to pollen (due to altered growing seasons)
• molds (from extreme or more frequent precipitation)
• air pollution and aerosolized marine toxins
Mitigation/Adaptation measures:
• Reduced fossil fuel combustion lowers air pollutants
• Household insulation and ventilation could worsen IAQ
Cancer
Climate change may result in:• Altered fate and transport of
carcinogens• Changes in air pollution levels• Prolonged ozone depletion and
increased human exposure to UV
Mitigation/Adaptation measures:• Reduced fossil fuel combustion
lowers carcinogenic air pollutant levels
• Increased active transportation raises physical activity levels and reduces cancer risk
• Alternative fuels and energy-related materials may introduce novel carcinogens
Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke Existing cardiovascular disease may be exacerbated by:• increasing heat stress• increasing exposure to
particulate air pollution
• changing the distribution of zoonotic vectors that cause infectious diseases linked with cardiovascular disease.
Mitigation/adaptation measures:• Reduced fossil fuel use reduces
exposure to air pollutants with cardiovascular toxicity
• Increased active transportation raises physical activity levels, reducing cardiovascular risks
Mental Health and Stress-Related Disorders Extreme weather events related to climate change may result in:• geographic displacement of
populations• damage to property• loss of loved ones• chronic stress, all of which can negatively affect mental health.
Adaptation/Mitigation measures:• Effective adaptation should
reduce psychological trauma and stress
USGCRP Interdisciplinary Project: The Interagency Group on Climate Change
and Human Health
Chartered December 2009Demonstration of “end to
end” science in service of societal needs
Co-chaired by NIEHS, CDC and NOAA 11+ agencies involved
Synergistic solutions: improving cookstoves in the developing world
• Cookstove smoke kills nearly 2 million people each year
• More than half of those deaths are from COPD
• Black carbon from incomplete combustion contributes to atmospheric warming
• Improved cookstoves can improve health and equity and reduce short-lived climate forcing
http://cleancookstoves.org/