Abstract
Climate Change and Extreme Weather Events
Phenomenon and direction of trend | Likelihood that the trend occurred in the late 20th century | Likelihood of human contribution to trend | Likelihood of future trends based on projections for 21st century |
---|---|---|---|
Increased incidence of heatwaves | 66–90 (likely) | 51–66 (more likely than not) | 90–99 (very likely) |
Increased incidence of heavy precipitation events | 66–90 | 51–66 | 90–99 |
More areas affected by drought | 66–90 | 51–66 | 66–90 |
Increased incidence and severity of cyclones | 66–90 | 51–66 | 66–90 |
Increased incidence of extremely high sea levels | 66–90 | 66–90 | 66–90 |
The Public Health Impact of Extreme Weather Events
Public health impact | High-precipitation events | Low-precipitation events | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Storms | Floods | Landslides | Heat | Drought | Wildfire | |
Number of deaths | Few, but can be many in low-income countries | Few, but can be many in flash floods | Few to moderate | Moderate to many in high-income countries | Few, but can be many in low-income countries | Few to moderate |
Risk of an associated epidemic | Unlikely | Unlikely, except for low-income countries | Unlikely | Unlikely | Unlikely, except for low-income countries | Unlikely |
Severe injuries | Few | Few | Few to moderate | Moderate to many cases of heat stroke | Unlikely | Few to moderate |
Loss of clean water | Widespread | Focal to widespread | Focal | Unlikely | Widespread | Focal |
Loss of shelter | Widespread | Focal to widespread | Focal | Focal to widespread | Focal to widespread | Focal |
Loss of personal and household goods | Widespread | Focal to widespread | Focal | None | Unlikely among displaced populations | Likely among displaced populations |
Permanent migration | Unlikely | Unlikely | Unlikely | Unlikely | Likely | Unlikely |
Loss of sanitation | Widespread | Focal to widespread | Focal | Unlikely | Likely among displaced populations | Likely among displaced populations |
Loss of routine hygiene | Widespread | Focal to widespread | Focal | Unlikely | Likely among displaced populations | Likely among displaced populations |
Disruption of solid waste management | Widespread | Focal to widespread | Focal | Unlikely | Likely among displaced populations | Likely among displaced populations |
Public risk perception | High | High | High | Moderate to high | Moderate to high | High |
Increased pests and vectors | Widespread | Widespread | Unlikely | Unlikely | Possible | Unlikely |
Loss and/or damage of healthcare system | Widespread | Focal to widespread | Focal | Unlikely | Unlikely | Focal |
Worsening of existing chronic illnesses | Widespread | Focal to widespread | Focal | Widespread | Widespread | Focal to widespread |
Toxic exposures | Possibly air, water, food | Possibly air, water, food | Possibly air, water | Possibly air | Possibly water | Likely air |
Food scarcity | Uncommon except in low-lying remote islands | Uncommon | Unlikely | Unlikely | Common | Possible |
Building Human Resilience As an Adaptation to Climate Change
Human Vulnerability and Disaster Risk
Disaster Risk Management

Reducing Human Vulnerability As an Adaptation to Climate Change
Human Resilience As a Means for Vulnerability Reduction
Building Resilience to Extreme Weather Events Through Public Health Preparedness and Response
UN. Terminology: basic terms of disaster risk reduction. Geneva: UN, International Strategy for Disaster Reduction. www.unisdr.org/eng/library/lib-terminology-eng%20home.htm.
Resilience-Building Strategies for Extreme Weather Events Related to Climate Change
Drought
The public health impact of drought disasters
Preparing for drought-related public health emergencies
Responding to drought-related public health emergencies
- •food security
- •safe water and adequate sanitation
- •hygiene
- •infection control in healthcare settings
- •surveillance
- •temporary shelter for displaced populations
Wildfire
The public health impact of wildfire disasters
Merriam Webster Dictionary Online. www.m-w.com.
- •burn injuries
- •exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma
- •population displacement resulting in a need for humanitarian assistance that includes safe shelter, water and food, security, sanitation, and health care
Preparing for wildfire-related public health emergencies
Responding to wildfire-related public health emergencies
Floods
The public health impact of floods
- •damage to homes and consequent displacement of occupants
- •compromised personal hygiene
- •contamination of water sources
- •disruption of sewage service and solid-waste collection
- •injuries sustained during cleanup
- •stress-related mental health and substance abuse problems
- •deaths, mostly caused by drowning37
Preparing for public health emergencies caused by flood
Responding to flood-related public health emergencies
Tropical Cyclones
The public health impact of tropical cyclones
Preparing for public health emergencies caused by tropical cyclones
Responding to public health emergencies caused by cyclones
Landslides (Debris Flows)
The public health impact of landslides
Preparing for public health emergencies caused by landslides
Summary
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