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2021 Climate and Health Review - Uncharted Territory: Extreme Weather Events and Morbidity
1Department of Health Policy & Management, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA.
Summary
Extreme weather events in 2021 caused significant health burdens, particularly respiratory issues and mental illness. Increased public awareness of these health risks is crucial for driving climate change policy action.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Epidemiology
- Climate Science
Background:
- Extreme weather events (EWEs) impacted global health in 2021, highlighting uncharted territory in climate change effects.
- Current reporting on EWEs often focuses on economic damages, mortality, and displacement, neglecting comprehensive health impacts.
- The health frame, emphasizing human impacts of EWEs, has gained traction, influencing climate policy discussions post-Paris COP21 and Glasgow COP26.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review data on 30 major EWEs of 2021.
- To discuss morbidity-related exposures for key hazards: wildfire smoke, extreme cold with power outages, flooding, and drought.
- To highlight the significant, often overlooked, burden of morbidity associated with EWEs.
Main Methods:
- Data summarization for 30 major EWEs in 2021.
- Epidemiological literature review to assess morbidity exposures.
- Analysis of health impacts, focusing on respiratory and mental health outcomes.
Main Results:
- A substantial burden of morbidity was identified across various EWEs.
- Widespread exposure to risks of respiratory outcomes, including interactions with COVID-19, was observed.
- Increased risk of mental illnesses linked to EWEs was a significant finding.
Conclusions:
- There is a critical need for a global annual report on EWE-related morbidity, including population estimates and scientific updates.
- Harnessing the public health frame can strengthen evidence for climate change action.
- The findings underscore the urgency and agency required for effective climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies.
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