Public Health and Climate Change Adaptation at the Federal Level: One Agency’s Response to Executive Order 13514

Hess, Jeremy; Schramm, Paul; Luber, George

doi:10.2105/ajph.2013.301796

Cited by 20 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Anticipating hazards and future risks to workers is the basis for preparation to prevent or minimize them. Preparedness also requires assessment of capacity for developing and implementing prevention, mitigation, adaptation, and resilience programs for workers [190–192] . These efforts may require working with state and local health and labor departments.…”

Section: Priorities For Actionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advancing the framework for considering the effects of climate change on worker safety and health

Schulte

Bhattacharya

Butler

et al. 2016

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

121

113

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In 2009, a preliminary framework for how climate change could affect worker safety and health was described. That framework was based on a literature search from 1988–2008 that supported seven categories of climate-related occupational hazards: (1) increased ambient temperature; (2) air pollution; (3) ultraviolet exposure; (4) extreme weather; (5) vector-borne diseases and expanded habitats; (6) industrial transitions and emerging industries; and (7) changes in the built environment. This paper reviews the published literature from 2008–2014 in each of the seven categories. Additionally, three new topics related to occupational safety and health are considered: mental health effects, economic burden, and potential work safety and health impacts associated with the nascent field of climate intervention (geoengineering). Beyond updating the literature, the paper also identifies key priorities for action to better characterize and understand how occupational safety and health may be associated with climate change events and ensure that worker health and safety issues are anticipated, recognized, evaluated, and mitigated. These key priorities include research, surveillance, risk assessment, risk management, and policy development. Strong evidence indicates that climate change will continue to present occupational safety and health hazards, and this framework may be a useful tool for preventing adverse effects to workers.

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Section: Priorities For Actionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advancing the framework for considering the effects of climate change on worker safety and health

Schulte

Bhattacharya

Butler

et al. 2016

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene

121

113

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, however, concluded in 2014 that enhanced climate-related surveillance would support adaptation for climate change-related global health; respiratory health; vector-, food-, and waterborne diseases; sexually transmitted infections; and mental health. 14 …”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Climate Change and Public Health Surveillance: Toward a Comprehensive Strategy

Moulton

Schramm

2017

Journal of Public Health Management and Practice

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Context Climate change poses a host of serious threats to human health that robust public health surveillance systems can help address. It is unknown, however, whether existing surveillance systems in the United States have adequate capacity to serve that role, nor what actions may be needed to develop adequate capacity. Objective Our goals were to review efforts to assess and strengthen the capacity of public health surveillance systems to support health-related adaptation to climate change in the United States and to determine whether additional efforts are warranted. Methods Building on frameworks issued by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we specified 4 core components of public health surveillance capacity relevant to climate change health threats. Using standard methods, we next identified and analyzed multiple assessments of the existing, relevant capacity of public health surveillance systems as well as attempts to improve that capacity. We also received information from selected national public health associations. Findings Multiple federal, state, and local public health agencies, professional associations, and researchers have made valuable, initial efforts to assess and strengthen surveillance capacity. These efforts, however, have been made by entities working independently and without the benefit of a shared conceptual framework or strategy. Their principal focus has been on identifying suitable indicators and data sources largely to the exclusion of other core components of surveillance capacity. Conclusions A more comprehensive and strategic approach is needed to build the public health surveillance capacity required to protect the health of Americans in a world of rapidly evolving climate change. Public health practitioners and policy makers at all levels can use the findings and issues reviewed in this article as they lead design and execution of a coordinated, multisector strategic plan to create and sustain that capacity.

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“…In Quebec, Public Health Directorates are required to include consideration of climate change in their Regional Action Plans 2015-2025, a move that was viewed positively by Public Health Directorate interviewees. Interviewees noted that requiring adaptation or requiring reporting of adaptation progress may provide a stimulus to adapt to climate change: "As scientists we can say a lot to the communities, but as long as they don't get the green light from the top to do something they don't do anything" (interviewee, South German Climate Office), as was the case with the United States Executive Order 13514 and the United Kingdom Climate Change Act [55,56]. Any requirements of adaptation are best accompanied by dedicated funding and guidance, or risk adding unfunded mandates [28] or enabling maladaptation.…”

Section: Claim Leadershipmentioning

confidence: 99%