Climate change can affect human health in two main ways: first, by changing the severity or frequency of health problems that are already influenced by climate or weather factors; and second, by creating unprecedented or unforeseen health problems or threats in places where they have never occurred before.
A new report, “The Climate Change and Health Assessment of the U.S. Global Change Research Program,” provides an overview of the potential health effects of climate change across the United States. The report includes a section on anxiety numbers, including outdoor workers and workers who may be exposed to other extreme weather environments. Employee health issues are also included in other sections of the report as part of wider discussions on the impact of climate change on public health.
According to the report, climate change could increase the severity of known occupational hazards, as well as the development of new hazards. Most at risk are outsourced workers, which includes agricultural workers, commercial fishermen, construction workers, transportation workers and first responders. Workers in hot indoor environments such as warehouses and factories are also at risk.
In summarizing the report, the authors noted: “The current and future effects of climate change are leading more people in more places to public health threats. Already in the United States, we have seen a climate-related increase in our exposure to high temperatures; more frequent, worse or prolonged major events; polluted air quality; diseases transmitted through food, water and disease vectors (such as mites and mosquitoes); and emphasizing our mental health and wellbeing. ”
They say almost all of these risks are expected to be exacerbated by climate change. “Some of these health risks occur over a longer period of time, or at unprecedented times of the year; some people will be exposed to threats that have not previously been in place, ”said the authors.
They also noted that the benefits of climate change – such as fewer cold – related deaths in certain regions, will be offset by the increase in heat – related deaths in other regions.
The risk faced by workers from climate change includes working at warmer temperatures and the possibility of longer periods of hot days for outdoor work. These types of exposures can cause heat-related illnesses, as well as stress and fatigue, which can put employees at risk for injury. Employees may have less control over their exposure to climate change risks than the general public.
In addition to heat exposures, the authors note that changes in climate patterns can cause increasingly frequent bad weather such as storms, floods and drought. Warmer and drier conditions have also increased in wildfire season. This can lead to an increased need for emergency response resources, placing greater pressure on the country’s responders both physically and psychologically.
