by Healthcare Staff | Oct 8, 2019
12:00pm
For decades, preparing for climate change felt like waiting for
a meteor to hit: Sure, it could happen. But the threat didn't feel imminent
compared to the challenges businesses faced.
But concern has been rising as more communities and
companies across the U.S.—including those in healthcare—have begun recognizing
potential disruptions to the way they do business and seeking better ways to
respond to a changing world.
Among the most tangible threats?
"Changes in temperature and precipitation are increasing
air quality and health risks from wildfire and
ground-level ozone pollution," according to the Fourth
National Climate Assessment. "Rising air and water
temperatures and more intense extreme events are expected to increase exposure
to waterborne and foodborne diseases, affecting food and water safety. With
continued warming, cold-related deaths are projected to decrease and heat-related
deaths are projected to increase."
Changes in the geographic range and distribution of
disease-carrying insects and pests are expected to expose more Americans to
ticks that carry Lyme disease and mosquitoes that carry diseases such as Zika,
West Nile and dengue fever, the report said. And extreme weather and
climate-related events can have lasting mental health consequences,
particularly if they destroy livelihoods or require community
relocations.
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