MDH Studies Effects of Climate Change on Public Health

by: MsTigerHawk

Wed Feb 10, 2010 at 10:04:51 AM CST

Here's MDH's Environmental Health section's statement:

Environmental health is an integral part of Minnesota's public health system. Events in the last several years, including natural and manmade disasters, terrorism, and food borne disease outbreaks, have demonstrated this again and again. Furthermore, as research sheds light on environmental hazards and on the environment's impact on overall health, the public increasingly looks toward the environmental health community for its expertise and leadership.

And here's their statement on climate change in regard to public health:

Climate Change and Public Health

MDH recognizes the critical importance of building state capacity to address potential public health impacts of climate change. In 2008, Assistant Commissioner John Stine formed the MDH Climate Change Workgroup, with agency-wide representation. The workgroup facilitated information sharing about public health and climate change and applied for grants to fund climate change-related work.

In 2009, the MDH received a grant from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) to increase knowledge and capacity at the MDH to proactively adapt to the possible public health impacts of climate change. The grant funds will end in August 2010.

The main objectives of the climate change grant are the following:

Assess MDH staff regarding their knowledge of climate change as it relates to public health. (We are encouraging all MDH personnel to take the survey. The survey will be available online from February 8 to February 19.)

Develop a communication plan.

Develop an MDH 5-year strategic plan for adapting and responding to climate change. The strategic plan will address climate change-related public health priorities for the department, coordinate climate change-related activities, identify gaps in current surveillance systems and response capacities, and recommend future action steps. Membership in the original MDH Climate Change Workgroup has been modified to better address the issues in the 5-year strategic plan. Linda Bruemmer, Director of the Environmental Health Division, will chair the workgroup.

Develop training for MDH staff regarding climate change. The MDH is creating four training modules (webinars) for public health professionals on these topics: (1) introductory information about climate change and public health, (2) vector-borne diseases, (3) extreme heat and weather, and (4) vulnerable populations. The modules should be available in Summer 2010.

An interdepartmental grant steering team has been formed to guide the work of the ASTHO climate change grant. Members include Chuck Stroebel, Myrlah Olson, David Neitzel, Lynne Markus, and Kristin Raab.

For more information, please contact a member of the ASTHO Grant Steering Team.

Survey shown after the break...

The MDH recently received a small grant from the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) to assess the understanding of state health department staff about the potential health impacts of climate change. Climate change refers to any significant change in measures of climate (such as temperature, precipitation, or wind) lasting for an extended period of time (decades or longer).

Here is the survey:

Demographic Information

(1) In which division do you currently work?

(2) What best describes your current position?

We would like to learn more about your general beliefs about climate change. Please provide your opinion to the following questions:

(3) The United States will experience climate change in the next 20 years?
Strongly Agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Don't know

(4) Minnesota is currently experiencing climate change.
Strongly Agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Don't know

(5) Minnesota will experience climate change in the next 20 years.
Strongly Agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Don't know

We would like to learn more about your thoughts related to public health and climate change. Please provide your opinion to the following questions:

(6) Climate change will potentially adversely impact public health in Minnesota in the next 20 years.
Strongly Agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Don't know

(7) There currently is adequate scientific evidence to warrant MDH action(s) to prepare for the potential public health impacts of climate change in Minnesota.
Strongly Agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Don't know

(8) Preparing for the potential adverse public health effects of climate change should be a high priority for MDH at this time.
Strongly Agree
Agree
Disagree
Strongly Disagree
Don't know

9) Are the following events or conditions likely to be made worse by climate change in Minnesota in the next 20 years? Answers: Yes No Don't Know

Heat waves and heat-related illnesses/deaths?

Extreme weather events (e.g., tornadoes, floods, droughts)?

Forest fires or brush fires?

Water-borne diseases (e.g. Giardiasis, Cryptosporidiosis, etc.)?

Food-borne diseases (e.g., E-coli, Salmonellosis, etc.)?

Vector-borne diseases (e.g., West Nile disease, Lyme disease, etc.)?

Outdoor air pollution?

Respiratory conditions (e.g., asthma)?

Food supply and safety?

Anxiety, depression or other mental health conditions?

Housing needs for residents displaced by extreme weather events?

Disruption of health care services due to climate related events, such as floods or heat waves?

Availability of health care services for refugees displaced by climate change?

The following questions focus on planning for potential climate change effects. Please provide your thoughts to the following questions
.
(10) In your opinion, are there other adverse effects that may be caused (or made worse) by climate change in Minnesota?
Yes
No
Don't Know

If Yes, please specify up to three effects:
Effect 1:  
Effect 2:  
Effect 3:  

(11) If you had to choose three top priority areas for the MDH to work on related to climate change, what would they be?
Yes
None, Climate change is not a priority
Don't Know

If Yes, please list up to three priorities below:
Priority 1:  
Priority 2:  
Priority 3:  

(12) Would you like to learn more about climate change and its effects on public health in Minnesota?
Yes
No
Don't Know

If Yes, please list up to 3 climate change issues you'd like to learn more about:
Issue 1:  
Issue 2:  
Issue 3:  

(13) What method(s) would you prefer to receive information/education on the public health impacts of climate change? (Check all that apply)
Website
Guest seminars/lectures
Webinars (e.g., WebEx)
Classroom courses
Brown bag lunches (informal presentations, discussions)
Library materials (books, journals, videos)
Electronic newsletter
E-mail subscription service (e.g., Gov Delivery)
Other. Please specify.
None

(14) Are you working on any projects related to climate change as part of your job at the MDH?
Yes
No
Don't Know

If Yes, please give details below:

(15) The MDH is developing a strategic 5-year plan to adapt to potential public health impacts of climate change in Minnesota. Do you have any ideas or issues that should be included in the plan?
Yes
No
Don't Know

If Yes, please tell us your ideas: