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It’s getting hot: Extreme heat events, disparate health impacts, perceptions, and vulnerability
Citation:
Hazari, M., K. Ebi, M. Fiamingo, AND A. Nori-Sarma. It’s getting hot: Extreme heat events, disparate health impacts, perceptions, and vulnerability. Society of Toxicology 2023 Annual Meeting, Nashville, TN, March 12 - 23, 2023.
Impact/Purpose:
This session described the impact of extreme heat events, which are increasing due to climate change. It will examine regional differences, disparities in risk and specific cardiopulmonary outcomes. This work addresses the needs of the both SHC and ACE programs and will provide important information to attendees.
Description:
Continuing climate change is leading to a steady overall rise in average temperatures across the globe. Even more concerning is the increase in extreme weather events (extreme heat events (EHE), drought, tornadoes, etc.) that likely result in more serious catastrophes and disproportionate health impacts. EHE, which are expected to increase in frequency and severity due to climate change, are characterized in the US by high temperature (> 95 F) as well as high humidity over multiple consecutive days. According to Centers for Disease Control (CDC), these events contribute to the death of more than 600 people per year, which may be an underestimation of the actual number because many of them are assigned to co-morbidities. Regardless, it is projected that more areas will experience more, more intense, and longer EHE in the coming years due to climate change. Furthermore, human activities concentrate heat exposures, mainly through urban heat islands. The broader ramifications of EHE are not fully characterized, not just morbidity (e.g., acute and chronic illnesses, malnutrition, behavioral and psychosocial disorders) and mortality, but also perception and relative risk among various communities and subpopulations, disparities due to socioeconomic and other factors, regional variations, and financial costs. In fact, the overall burden of these EHE represents a broad spectrum of issues that will likely persist even of climate change is curtailed. Therefore, this session will highlight the latest information on the impact of EHE on human populations, including cardiopulmonary and mental health impacts. The presentations focused on a broad array of topics including the driving factors behind regional variations in EHE and the sources of vulnerability. Findings will show that responses to this crisis must include developing “climate-resilient health systems” and adaptation policies that seek to reduce risk among the most vulnerable while simultaneously considering other stressors. Attendees heard about assessment of risk when it comes to rising ambient temperatures and vulnerable populations, especially occupations that may be disproportionately susceptible. In addition, the effect of extreme heat on mental health and behavior will be explored. Finally, the broader cardiovascular and respiratory impact of these events were detailed and further discussed with respect to subsequent toxicological risk from other extreme environmental exposures (e.g., wildfire smoke). Overall, this symposium holistically and succinctly described the what, how and when of EHE and their impact on human beings.