Topic Collection: Climate Change and Healthcare System Considerations

Climate change negatively affects national security, environmental stability, and human health. In 2020 alone, over 20 climate-related disasters occurred in the U.S., resulting in losses of over $1 billion (Smith, 2021). Climate model projections predict an increase in these adverse effects over the next century, with certain existing health threats intensifying and new health threats emerging (Crimmins, Balbus, Gamble, et al., 2016).

Climate-related events impact human health in two ways: they can directly cause illness, injury, increased mental health trauma, and loss of life (e.g., a tornado, hurricane, or other extreme weather event); and indirectly affect population health and disrupt living conditions via damage to critical infrastructure, access to care or public services, and impact to economic systems (e.g., as a secondary result of an extreme weather event). Natural disasters may also be powerful mechanisms of direct and indirect hazardous material releases.

Private and public healthcare and emergency management partners should incorporate the potential impact of climate change into emergency preparedness and future response efforts and on healthcare delivery capabilities.

The resources in this Topic Collection (TC) highlight planning considerations, educational and planning resources, and lessons learned from a variety of natural and human-caused disasters and provide guidance for healthcare practitioners who are committed to addressing climate change and the impacts on healthcare systems. This TC is focused on resources that directly address climate effects. Many additional resources on specific extreme weather hazards that have direct relationship to climate change are included in other TCs.

Stakeholders may also wish to access the following related TCs: Disasters and At-Risk Populations, Hazard Vulnerability/Risk Assessment, Natural Disasters, and Populations with Access and Functional Needs.

Each resource in this Topic Collection is placed into one or more of the following categories (click on the category name to be taken directly to that set of resources). Resources marked with an asterisk (*) appear in more than one category.