CLIMATE CHANGE AND VARIABILITY IMPACTING PUBLIC

HEALTH IN THE CARIBBEAN

LaVerne E. Ragster, Ph.D.5th Annual Health Disparities Institute

Caribbean Exploratory Research (NIMHD) Center University of the Virgin Islands

Caribbean Exploratory Research Center 5th Annual Institute

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Climate Change - our new world Environment

10/18/2012

Climate change :

A long-term shift in the average weatherof a location, region or planet measured by features such as temperature,

wind patterns and precipitation includes a change in the variability of climate

Caribbean Exploratory Research Center 5th Annual Institute

310/18/2012

Climate Change Effects in the Caribbean Increased Temperatures

Droughts and Flooding

Sea Level Rise

More Severe Storms and Hurricanes

Ocean Acidification

10/18/2012Caribbean Exploratory Research Center 5th

Annual Institute 4

Caribbean Exploratory Research Center 5th Annual Institute

Everything is connected to climate

Transportation

Health

SocietyEnergy

Agriculture Ecosystems

Water

10/18/2012

Caribbean Exploratory Research Center 5th Annual Institute

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Caribbean Exploratory Research Center 5th Annual Institute

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Climate Change could be Hazardous to your Health

10/18/2012

Caribbean Exploratory Research Center 5th Annual Institute

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Threats to Human Health in the CaribbeanDroughts and Higher Temperatures

Loss of food production malnutrition Increased incidence of Dengue Fever & DHF Respiratory illnesses, asthma Heat related illnesses (stroke, heat rash) Ciguatera

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Caribbean Exploratory Research Center 5th Annual Institute

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Threats to Human Health in the CaribbeanIntense Rainfall Events & Higher Temperatures

Malaria

Respiratory Tract Infections

Leptospirosis

Diarrheal disease

10/18/2012

Caribbean Exploratory Research Center 5th Annual Institute

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Threats to Human Health in the CaribbeanIncreased Storm Severity

Injuries and loss of life

Increased risk of water-borne and rodent borne diseases (e.g., typhoid and leptospirosis)

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Caribbean Exploratory Research Center 5th Annual Institute

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Next Steps

Caribbean Exploratory Research Center 5th Annual Institute

1210/18/2012

Thank you for Listening.

As the world becomes sicker - What will you do?