At Risk Populations

Children

  • Eat more and drink more per body weight when compared to adults
  • Take in more air per body weight when compared to adults
  • Are still developing and require specialized care due to their size and development
  • Can be more likely to suffer disproportionately from climate change
  • Must rely on adults to take care of them (Ebi & Paulson, 2007)
  • Suffer more injuries and death from extreme weather events
  • Can be affected by increases in infectious diseases
    • Gastrointestinal diseases may be fatal to young children (Ebi & Paulson, 2007)
  • Suffer increases in post traumatic mental health and behavior problems
    • Some studies show that children experience more mental and emotional stress than adults during and after disasters (IPCC, 2007; Shea, 2007).
  • Experience increased air pollution related illness, such as asthma
    • Children play outdoors more than adults
  • Experience increased heat related illnesses (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2007)

Older Adults

  • Tend to have less resiliency and/or reserve
  • Are at higher risk of health effects related to food and water shortages due to droughts and floods
  • May be more isolated and difficult to assist in emergency situations
  • Are more likely to be living with chronic diseases such as COPD and heart disease that can be affected by an increase in air pollution.

Poor and Minority Groups

  • Have fewer resources to cope with effects of climate change, such as:
    • Forced relocation due to changes in sea level
    • Food shortages due to droughts and floods
    • Relocation and loss of property due to extreme weather events
  • Suffer adverse health effects due to extreme heat events, because:
    • They may not have access to air conditioning or cooled public spaces (Afzal, 2007).
    • Urban environments trap heat (Afzal, 2007).
  • Lack resources for preventive or early care (Afzal, 2007)

Workers

  • Individuals who work in hot and humid environments on a daily or seasonal basis can be affected by heat-related conditions. Work is dangerous when the humidity reaches 60% and the air temperature is above 90°F. (Rogers, 2007).

Immuno-Compromised Individuals

  • Have a higher risk of infectious diseases spread by contaminated food or water (Afzal, 2007).
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