Health
"I think as a physician it is important to support legislation that promotes the health and well being of people, as well as our planet. To help mitigate the effects of climate change would involve not only anticipating and educating patients on the associated public and personal health ramifications, but also supporting crucial legislation." - Dr. Karlene Arguinchona, Emergency Room physician, Spokane, Washington.
Several bodies of research now show that with climate change, there will be important effects on public health, due both to severe weather events and other alterations in weather patterns. Over the past century, there has been an increase in the intensity, frequency, and duration of phenomena such as heavy precipitation, floods, droughts, hurricanes, coastal erosion, warm spells, and heat waves.
Heavy precipitation, especially following a drought, can lead to the backflow of sewage systems, contaminating fresh water supplies and increasing the risk of diarrheal illnesses such as shigella and salmonella. Increased temperatures will also result in the rise of sea levels, mixing salt water into our fresh water systems, and the melting of snow packs, which is now a major source of freshwater in Washington.
With rising temperatures, we can also expect to see an increase in thermal stress and heat-related illness, illnesses related to air pollution, and illnesses that thrive in warmer weather. At highest risk are our most vulnerable parts of the population: children, the elderly, and those living without extensive medical coverage.
We are in a position where we can—and will to our abilities—educate our legislators on the health effects of climate change, and urge them to support action on climate change for the health of our communities, future generations, and our planet.
Physicians, nurses, and other health professionals spend their time caring for the well-being of individuals. These individuals turn to the healthcare community in times of need, rely on us for informed advice and guidance towards a healthy lifestyle, and trust us with their lives. It would be a shortcoming in our role as healthcare providers to care for the health of individuals only, and not to care as well for the future health of our children and the generations beyond them.
This content was contributed by Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility, a member of the 1Sky Washington community.
