1. CONFERENCE: Climate Change «Climate Change» FRIDAY 21 NOVEMBER 2014 GAIA Environmental Center, Goulandris Natural History Museum Climate Change: The impact on Health Dr. P. Nicolopoulou-Stamati MD. PhD. Scientific Director of MSc "Environment and Health. Capacity building for Decision Making" Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

2. Climate change affects the social and environmental determinants of health – clean air, safe drinking water, sufficient food and secure shelter. Climate change affects the social and environmental determinants of health – clean air, safe drinking water, sufficient food and secure shelter. Between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250.000 additional deaths per year, from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea and heat stress. Between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250.000 additional deaths per year, from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea and heat stress. The direct damage costs to health (i.e. excluding costs in health- determining sectors such as agriculture and water and sanitation), is estimated to be between US$ 2-4 billion/year by 2030. The direct damage costs to health (i.e. excluding costs in health- determining sectors such as agriculture and water and sanitation), is estimated to be between US$ 2-4 billion/year by 2030. Areas with weak health infrastructure – mostly in developing countries – will be the least able to cope without assistance to prepare and respond. Areas with weak health infrastructure – mostly in developing countries – will be the least able to cope without assistance to prepare and respond. Reducing emissions of greenhouse gases through better transport, food and energy-use choices can result in improved health, particularly through reduced air pollution. Reducing emissions of greenhouse gases through better transport, food and energy-use choices can result in improved health, particularly through reduced air pollution. WHO, Fact sheet N°266,Reviewed August 2014 UoA Medical School MSc: Environment and Health. Capacity building for Decision Making 21/11/2014

3. What is the impact of climate change on health? Although global warming may bring some localized benefits, such as fewer winter deaths in temperate climates and increased food production in certain areas, the overall health effects of a changing climate are likely to be overwhelmingly negative. Climate change affects social and environmental determinants of health – clean air, safe drinking water, sufficient food and secure shelter. Although global warming may bring some localized benefits, such as fewer winter deaths in temperate climates and increased food production in certain areas, the overall health effects of a changing climate are likely to be overwhelmingly negative. Climate change affects social and environmental determinants of health – clean air, safe drinking water, sufficient food and secure shelter. WHO, Fact sheet N°266,Reviewed August 2014 UoA Medical School MSc: Environment and Health. Capacity building for Decision Making 21/11/2014

4. Who is at risk? All populations will be affected by climate change, but some are more vulnerable than others. People living in small island developing states and other coastal regions, megacities, and mountainous and polar regions are particularly vulnerable. All populations will be affected by climate change, but some are more vulnerable than others. People living in small island developing states and other coastal regions, megacities, and mountainous and polar regions are particularly vulnerable. Children – in particular, children living in poor countries – are among the most vulnerable to the resulting health risks and will be exposed longer to the health consequences. Children – in particular, children living in poor countries – are among the most vulnerable to the resulting health risks and will be exposed longer to the health consequences. Elderly people - the health effects are also expected to be more severe for elderly people and people with infirmities or pre- existing medical conditions. Elderly people - the health effects are also expected to be more severe for elderly people and people with infirmities or pre- existing medical conditions. Areas with weak health infrastructure – mostly in developing countries – will be the least able to cope without assistance to prepare and respond. Areas with weak health infrastructure – mostly in developing countries – will be the least able to cope without assistance to prepare and respond. WHO, Fact sheet N°266,Reviewed August 2014 UoA Medical School MSc: Environment and Health. Capacity building for Decision Making 21/11/2014

5. WHO response In 2009, the World Health Assembly endorsed a new WHO work plan on climate change and health. This includes: Advocacy: to raise awareness that climate change is a fundamental threat to human health. Advocacy: to raise awareness that climate change is a fundamental threat to human health. Partnerships: to coordinate with partner agencies within the UN system, and ensure that health is properly represented in the climate change agenda. Partnerships: to coordinate with partner agencies within the UN system, and ensure that health is properly represented in the climate change agenda. Science and evidence: to coordinate reviews of the scientific evidence on the links between climate change and health, and develop a global research agenda. Science and evidence: to coordinate reviews of the scientific evidence on the links between climate change and health, and develop a global research agenda. Health system strengthening: to assist countries to assess their health vulnerabilities and build capacity to reduce health vulnerability to climate change. Health system strengthening: to assist countries to assess their health vulnerabilities and build capacity to reduce health vulnerability to climate change. WHO, Fact sheet N°266,Reviewed August 2014 UoA Medical School MSc: Environment and Health. Capacity building for Decision Making 21/11/2014

6. Major concern Changing dynamics of disease transmission influenced by: Changing dynamics of disease transmission influenced by: Migration Migration Land Use Land Use Environmental degradation Environmental degradation UoA Medical School MSc: Environment and Health. Capacity building for Decision Making 21/11/2014

7. Climate impacts on Human Health Impacts from the Impacts from the Heat Waves Heat Waves Extreme weather events Extreme weather events Reduced air quality Reduced air quality Climate sensitive diseases Climate sensitive diseases Food and water security Food and water security UoA Medical School MSc: Environment and Health. Capacity building for Decision Making 21/11/2014

8. Heat Waves Heat stroke Heat stroke most common cause of weather-related deaths Dehydration Dehydration Mostly affects Mostly affects Vulnerable groups Vulnerable groups Children Children Older adults Older adults People with medical conditions People with medical conditions People in poverty People in poverty UoA Medical School MSc: Environment and Health. Capacity building for Decision Making 21/11/2014

9. Extreme weather events Reduce availability of fresh food and water Reduce availability of fresh food and water Increase stomach and intestinal illness Increase stomach and intestinal illness Contribute to mental health impacts such as depression Contribute to mental health impacts such as depression Interrupt communication of health care services Interrupt communication of health care services Contribute to carbon monoxide poisoning from portable electric generators used during and after the storms Contribute to carbon monoxide poisoning from portable electric generators used during and after the storms UoA Medical School MSc: Environment and Health. Capacity building for Decision Making 21/11/2014

10. Impacts from Reduced Air Quality Increase in ozone Increase in ozone Changes in fine particulate matter Changes in fine particulate matter Changes in allergies Changes in allergies UoA Medical School MSc: Environment and Health. Capacity building for Decision Making 21/11/2014

11. Impacts from Climate-Sensitive Diseases Changes in climate may enhance the spread of some diseases. Disease-causing agents (pathogens) that can be transmitted by food/water/animals climate change may affect all these transmitters One Health UoA Medical School MSc: Environment and Health. Capacity building for Decision Making 21/11/2014

13. Climate Change and Human Health A one health approach UoA Medical School MSc: Environment and Health. Capacity building for Decision Making 21/11/2014

14. About the One Health Initiative The One Health concept is a worldwide strategy for expanding interdisciplinary collaborations and communications in all aspects of health care for humans, animals and the environment. The One Health concept is a worldwide strategy for expanding interdisciplinary collaborations and communications in all aspects of health care for humans, animals and the environment. The synergism achieved will advance health care for the 21st century and beyond by accelerating biomedical research discoveries, enhancing public health efficacy, expeditiously expanding the scientific knowledge base, and improving medical education and clinical care. The synergism achieved will advance health care for the 21st century and beyond by accelerating biomedical research discoveries, enhancing public health efficacy, expeditiously expanding the scientific knowledge base, and improving medical education and clinical care. When properly implemented, it will help protect and save untold millions of lives in our present and future generations. When properly implemented, it will help protect and save untold millions of lives in our present and future generations.http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/about.php UoA Medical School MSc: Environment and Health. Capacity building for Decision Making 21/11/2014

15. http://www.onehealthinitiative.com/about.php

16. Climate change adds complexity and uncertainty to human health issues such as Climate change adds complexity and uncertainty to human health issues such as emerging infectious diseases emerging infectious diseases food security food security national sustainability planning national sustainability planning that intensify the importance of interdisciplinary and collaborative research. UoA Medical School MSc: Environment and Health. Capacity building for Decision Making 21/11/2014

17. We have to address the issue by a multi-disciplinary approach as it entails uncertainty We have to address the issue by a multi-disciplinary approach as it entails uncertainty Explicit knowledge is not adequate or sufficient to address the dynamic future Explicit knowledge is not adequate or sufficient to address the dynamic future Tacit knowledge is requested Tacit knowledge is requested UoA Medical School MSc: Environment and Health. Capacity building for Decision Making 21/11/2014

19. We have to rely on expertise from the fields of environmental health We have to rely on expertise from the fields of environmental health Medical Medical Public health Public health Veterinary Veterinary These health professionals must take into account the dynamic nature of ecosystems in a changing climate These health professionals must take into account the dynamic nature of ecosystems in a changing climate UoA Medical School MSc: Environment and Health. Capacity building for Decision Making 21/11/2014

20. "May there never develop in me the notion that my education is complete but give me the strength and leisure and zeal continually to enlarge my knowledge." - Maimonides - 21/11/2014

21. Thank you