{ Human Health Connections Lauren Thie, MSPH Environmental Program Consultant NC Department of Health and Human Services September 11, 2014

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CDC’s Building Resilience Against Climate Effects (BRACE) Framework

 Threats to air quality in NC:  Ozone, particulate matter (current emissions)  Wildfires (forest, peat bogs)  Indoor moisture (mold)  Pollen (weeds) Air Quality & Climate in NC

Air Quality & Climate Case Study, Pollen Disease Grass Weed Asthma Rhinitis Conjunctivitis Dermatitis Tree

Air Quality & Climate in NC  Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge 2008  Exposed counties saw significant increases in risk  Increased risk for asthma, COPD, pneumonia, bronchitis, cardiopulmonary symptoms, heart failure

 Public health preparedness and prevention can protect people:  Early warnings for extreme weather  Effective communication – Americans do not understand the effect of changes in climate on health  Opportunities to improve health and well-being that will combat climate change and provide societal benefits (co- benefits):  Reducing carbon dioxide emissions through renewable power reduces air pollutants  Urban greening, to reduce heat island effect and encourage active living, with low to moderate pollen-producing species  Reduce short motor vehicle trips with biking, walking, public transit  Reducing idling near schools 2014 National Climate Assessment Health

   AIRNow app  Dr. Pachauri at NC State University Monday, September 2 pm Air Quality Resources

This presentation was supported by the Cooperative Agreement Number 1UE1EH from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Disclaimer: The North Carolina Disease Event Tracking and Epidemiologic Collection Tool (NC DETECT) is an advanced, statewide public health surveillance system. NC DETECT is funded with federal funds by North Carolina Division of Public Health (NC DPH), Public Health Emergency Preparedness Grant (PHEP), and managed through a collaboration between NC DPH and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Department of Emergency Medicine’s Carolina Center for Health Informatics (UNC CCHI).The NC DETECT Data Oversight Committee does not take responsibility for the scientific validity or accuracy of methodology, results, statistical analyses, or conclusions presented. The NC DETECT Data Oversight Committee (DOC) includes representatives from the NC DPH, UNC NC DETECT Team and NC Hospital Association.

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