Table 1.
Climate Change-Relevant Disease Category and Disease Impacts
| Disease Category* | Disease Impacts | References |
|---|---|---|
| Cardiovascular | Cardiovascular diseases hospital admissions increase during extreme heat waves and during peaks in particulate matter. |
Bosello, Roson, & Tol, 2006; Brown, Craddock, & Ingram, 2012; Costello et al., 2009; Hajat, O’Connor, & Kosatsky, 2010; Haines & Patz, 2004; Hales, Edwards, & Kovats, 2003; Harlan & Ruddell, 2011; IPCC, 2007; Portier et al., 2010 |
| Heat | Extreme heat events are a leading cause of weather-related morbidity and mortality in North America. Prolonged heat exposure causes a variety of heat-related diseases, such as heat stroke, heat syncope, and heat exhaustion. |
Costello et al., 2009; Cueto-Garcia, Martinez-Tejeda, & Ostos-Jauregui, 2010; Luber & McGeehin, 2008; Portier et al., 2010 |
| Gastrointestinal | Diarrheal episodes in North America increase because of sewage overflow due to flooding. |
Bosello, Roson, & Tol, 2006; Costello et al., 2009; Haines & Patz, 2004; Hales, Edwards, & Kovats, 2003; Peterson, Zhang, Brunet-India, & Vázquez-Aguirre, 2008; Portier et al., 2010 |
| Respiratory | An increase in respiratory diseases hospital admissions occur during periods of higher temperatures. Respiratory diseases are intensified by peak levels of air pollution due to changes in climate. Longer pollen seasons due to warming climates may also intensify suffering for those with conditions like allergic asthma. |
Bosello, Roson, & Tol, 2006; Comrie, 2007; Costello et al., 2009; Cueto-Garcia et al., 2010; Epstein, 2005; Haines & Patz, 2004; Kovats et al., 2006; Maantay & Becker, 2012; Portier et al., 2010; Shea, Truckner, Weber, & Peden, 2008 |
| Vector-borne | Vector-borne diseases increase due to increased temperatures, which create more suitable habitats for vectors. |
Bosello, Roson, & Tol, 2006; Brownstein, Holford, & Fish, 2005; Costello et al., 2009; Cromley & McLafferty, 2012; Epstein, 2005; Haines & Patz, 2004; Hales, Edwards, & Kovats, 2003; Khasnis & Nettleman, 2005; Portier et al., 2010 |
| Water-borne | Water-borne diseases are associated extreme rainfall events, which are expected to increase under climate change resulting in a contaminated water supply. |
Bosello, Roson, & Tol, 2006; Costello et al., 2009; Epstein, 2005; Haines & Patz, 2004; Hales, Edwards, & Kovats, 2003; Kovats et al., 2006; Portier et al., 2010 |