Preparing for Climate Change: A Perspective from Local Public Health Officers in California

Bedsworth, Louise

doi:10.1289/ehp.0800114

Cited by 61 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 23 publications

(35 reference statements)

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“…Previous studies of this kind have been undertaken mainly in developed countries including the USA [11,12,15,17,18], Australia [19,20], and Canada [12,13]. Such studies can provide important information to policy makers and assist in developing and promoting practical adaptation measures.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid warming in Tibet, China: public perception, response and coping resources in urban Lhasa

et al. 2013

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BackgroundTibet, average altitude more than 4,000 meters, is warming faster than anywhere else in China. The increase in temperatures may aggravate existing health problems and lead to the emergence of new risks. However, there are no actions being taken at present to protect population health due to limited understanding about the range and magnitude of health effects of climate change.MethodsThe study was a cross-sectional survey of 619 respondents from urban Lhasa, Tibet in August 2012 with the aim to investigate public perceptions of risk, heat experiences, and coping resources.ResultsRespondents are aware of the warming that has occurred in Lhasa in recent years. Over 78% reported that rising temperature is either a “very” or “somewhat” serious threat to their own health, and nearly 40% reported they had experienced heat-related symptoms. Sex, age, education and income influenced perceived risks, health status, and heat experience. The vast majority of respondents reported that they had altered their behaviour on hot summer days. Bakuo, a sub-district at the city center, is considered especially vulnerable to heat because of sparse vegetation, high population density, poor dwelling conditions and a high proportion of low-income population. However, neighborhood social ties were stronger in Bakuo than other study locations.ConclusionsThe study suggests that actions are needed now to minimize downside effects of rapid warming in Tibet, because of increasing human exposure to high temperatures and uneven distribution of the resources needed to cope.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Rapid warming in Tibet, China: public perception, response and coping resources in urban Lhasa

et al. 2013

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“…The survey focused on topics discussed in the 2006 statewide assessment of the public health impacts of climate change in California, with the exception of wildfires (Drechsler et al 2006). In addition, several health threats that were not included in the survey are likely to be important for California under a changing climate, including drought, wildfire (as mentioned above), and displacement associated with floods and other extreme events (for more detail on the survey, see Bedsworth 2008;2009).…”

Section: Survey Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

California’s local health agencies and the state’s climate adaptation strategy

Bedsworth

2011

Climatic Change

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A changing climate will exacerbate many of the problems currently faced by California's public health institutions. The public health impacts of climate change include: an increase in extreme heat events and associated increases in heat-related morbidity and mortality, increases in the frequency and severity of air pollution episodes, shifts in the range and incidence of vector-borne diseases, increases in the severity of wildfire, increased risks of drought and flooding, and other extreme events. This article assesses the readiness of California's public health institutions to cope with the changes that will accompany a changing climate and how they relate to strategies laid out in the state's Climate Adaptation Strategy. County-level health offices are the front line actors to preserve public health in the face of numerous threats, including climate change. Survey results show that local health officers in California believe that climate change is a serious threat to public health, but feel that they lack the funding and resources to reduce this risk. Local health agencies also have a number of tools in place that will be helpful for preparing for a changing climate.

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“…The only other example of regional analysis of climate change preparedness 7 known to the authors found similar patterns of insufficient funding and political support for local adaption planning. In that California-based study, Bedsworth concluded that LHDs in may be better prepared to initiate adaptation planning than department officials perceive through building on existing program areas, echoing a key recommendation from the ClimAID Public Health Sector for New York State.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 64%

“…6 Thus, strategies that specifically address local climate hazards in conjunction with vulnerability factors are critical for preventing negative health outcomes and local public health officials are key foci for adaptation planning. 7–9 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Preparedness for Climate Change Among Local Health Department Officials in New York State

Carr

Sheffield²,

Kinney³

2012

Journal of Public Health Management and Practice

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Context Climate change adaptation strategies that address locally specific climate hazards are critical for preventing negative health outcomes, and local public health officials are key foci for adaptation planning. Objective To assess New York State Local Health Department officials’ perceptions and preparedness related to climate-sensitive health areas, and compare these with a national sample. Design Online survey instrument, originally used in a national survey of Local Health Department (LHD) officials. Setting New York State Participants Eligible participants included all New York State city and county LHD officials, one respondent per LHD. Main Outcome Measures LHD officials’ perceptions of local 1) climate-related public health effects, 2) preparation status and programming areas of LHDs, and 3) necessary resources to better address climate-related health risks. Results Survey participants, representing a 54% response rate (with 93% of respondents completing more than 90% of the questions), perceived climate change as relevant to public health, and most noted that some of their existing programs already use or are planning to use climate adaptation strategies. Overall, fewer New York State respondents identified concerns or related expertise compared to the previous national survey. Many respondents expressed uncertainty regarding necessary additional resources. Conclusions This type of assessment makes clear the high variability in perceived impacts and capacity at the level of local health department jurisdictions, and underscores the importance of sustained support for local climate change preparedness programming. The implications of these findings are germane to other states with similar decentralized jurisdiction of public health. Findings from such surveys can bolster existing LHD programs, as well as inform long-term and emergency planning for climate change.

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Preparing for Climate Change: A Perspective from Local Public Health Officers in California

Cited by 61 publications

References 23 publications

Rapid warming in Tibet, China: public perception, response and coping resources in urban Lhasa

Rapid warming in Tibet, China: public perception, response and coping resources in urban Lhasa

California’s local health agencies and the state’s climate adaptation strategy

Preparedness for Climate Change Among Local Health Department Officials in New York State

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