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Toward an integrated system of climate change and human health indicators: a conceptual framework

Author

Listed:
  • Ann Y. Liu

    (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences)

  • Juli M. Trtanj

    (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

  • Erin K. Lipp

    (University of Georgia)

  • John M. Balbus

    (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences)

Abstract

Environmental health indicators are helpful for tracking and communicating complex health trends, informing science and policy decisions, and evaluating public health actions. When provided on a national scale, they can help inform the general public, policymakers, and public health professionals about important trends in exposures and how well public health systems are preventing those exposures from causing adverse health outcomes. There is a growing need to understand national trends in exposures and health outcomes associated with climate change and the effectiveness of climate adaptation strategies for health. To date, most indicators for health implications of climate change have been designed as independent, individual metrics. This approach fails to take into account how exposure-outcome pathways for climate-attributable health outcomes involve multiple, interconnected components. We propose reframing climate change and health indicators as a linked system of indicators, which can be described as follows: upstream climate drivers affect environmental states, which then determine human exposures, which ultimately lead to health outcomes; these climate-related risks are modified by population vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies. We apply this new conceptual framework to three illustrative climate-sensitive health outcomes and associated exposure-outcome pathways: pollen allergies and asthma, West Nile virus infection, and vibriosis.

Suggested Citation

  • Ann Y. Liu & Juli M. Trtanj & Erin K. Lipp & John M. Balbus, 2021. "Toward an integrated system of climate change and human health indicators: a conceptual framework," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 166(3), pages 1-16, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:climat:v:166:y:2021:i:3:d:10.1007_s10584-021-03125-w
    DOI: 10.1007/s10584-021-03125-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Melissa A. Kenney & Anthony C. Janetos & Glynis C. Lough, 2016. "Building an integrated U.S. National Climate Indicators System," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 135(1), pages 85-96, March.
    2. Wei Xun & Aneire Khan & Edwin Michael & Paolo Vineis, 2010. "Climate change epidemiology: methodological challenges," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 55(2), pages 85-96, April.
    3. Melissa Kenney & Anthony Janetos & Glynis Lough, 2016. "Building an integrated U.S. National Climate Indicators System," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 135(1), pages 85-96, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lawrence A. Palinkas & Michael S. Hurlburt & Cecilia Fernandez & Jessenia De Leon & Kexin Yu & Erika Salinas & Erika Garcia & Jill Johnston & Md. Mostafijur Rahman & Sam J. Silva & Rob S. McConnell, 2022. "Vulnerable, Resilient, or Both? A Qualitative Study of Adaptation Resources and Behaviors to Heat Waves and Health Outcomes of Low-Income Residents of Urban Heat Islands," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-19, September.
    2. Lawrence A. Palinkas & Jessenia De Leon & Kexin Yu & Erika Salinas & Cecilia Fernandez & Jill Johnston & Md Mostafijur Rahman & Sam J. Silva & Michael Hurlburt & Rob S. McConnell & Erika Garcia, 2023. "Adaptation Resources and Responses to Wildfire Smoke and Other Forms of Air Pollution in Low-Income Urban Settings: A Mixed-Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(7), pages 1-16, April.

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