QUESTION: IS THE INTERVAL 12 YEARS OR 12 MONTHS?

Answer At the End…

Public Health Preparedness: Climate (Change) and Public Health

George T. DiFerdinando, Jr., MD, MPH

Director, NJ Center for Public Health Preparedness (CPHP) at UMDNJ

Co-PI, NY-NJ Preparedness and Emergency Response Learning Center (PERLC)

Looking North on Rt. 23 - McDonald’s Beach on left

8-29-11

Pompton Lakes Flood Gates

8-29-11

Maroon Kia

CVS

Looking North on Rt. 23 at Jackson Ave

Virginia Plaza

8-29-11

Looking Southeast over Virginia Plaza at Rt 23 & Jackson Ave. Intersection

8-29-11

A&P on Rt. 23 North

8-29-11

Extreme Heat

An extreme heat event is characterized by weather that is substantially hotter and/or more humid for a particular location at a particular time

Extreme Heat Events

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Extreme Heat

Extreme heat events can cause: Heat tetany (hyperventilation) Heat rash Heat cramps Heat exhaustion Heat edema (swelling) Heat syncope (fainting) Heat stroke Death

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Extreme Heat

Risk Factors

Lack of air conditioning in home Low socioeconomic status Living in urban areas Living in topmost floor of a

dwelling Living in nursing homes or being

bedridden Living alone or a lack of social or

family ties Prolonged sun exposure Drinking alcohol Exercising outside on warm days

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Extreme Heat

Vulnerable Populations

Everyone Elderly persons 65 years and

older Especially those who live

alone Children Persons with pre-existing

disease conditions Persons taking certain

medications Athletes Outdoor workers Homeless 17

Urban Heat Islands

• Higher temperatures in urban areas relative to surrounding suburban and rural areas can be caused by:

• Reduced vegetation and green space

• Heat-absorbing surfaces, such as pavement

• Heat-reflecting surfaces, including many building materials

• Skyscrapers obstructing free air flow

18Images from the Metropolitan Design Center Image Bank. Used with permission.

The Competency Project• Mandated by the Pandemic

and All-Hazards Preparedness Act (PAHPA)

• Partnership of Association of Schools of Public Health (ASPH) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) effort

• Finished in Dec 2010 – “In Effect”

1:Model Leadership 1.1 Solve problems under emergency conditions. 1.2 Manage behaviors associated with emotional

responses in self and others. 1.3 Facilitate collaboration with internal and

external emergency response partners. 1.4 Maintain situational awareness. 1.5 Demonstrate respect for all persons and

cultures. 1.6 Act within the scope of one's legal authority

2: Communicate and Manage Information

2.1 Manage information related to an emergency. 2.2 Use principles of crisis and risk communication. 2.3 Report information potentially relevant to the

identification and control of an emergency through the chain of command.

2.4 Collect data according to protocol. 2.5 Manage the recording and/or transcription of

data according to protocol.

3: Plan for and Improve Practice 3.1 Contribute expertise to a community hazard vulnerability

analysis (HVA)

3.2 Contribute expertise to the development of emergency plans

3.3 Participate in improving the organization’s capacities (including, but not limited to programs, plans, policies, laws, and workforce training).

3.4 Refer matters outside of one's scope of legal authority through the chain of command.

4: Protect Worker Health and Safety

4.1 Maintain personal/family emergency preparedness plans.

4.2 Employ protective behaviors according to changing conditions, personal limitations, and threats.

4.3 Report unresolved threats to physical and mental health through the chain of command.

RESOURCESReports, Trainings, and Webinars

QUESTION: IS THE INTERVAL 12 YEARS OR 12 MONTHS?

Recall the 1999 (Andrew), 2011 (Irene), 2012 (Sandy), …

Questions

diferdge@umdnj.edu732-235-9039

Best BasicsMinnesota Department of Health

• Climate and Health Home - http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/climatechange/index.html

• Climate Change 101 – Under Development http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/climatechange/climate101.html

• Resources - http://www.health.state.mn.us/divs/climatechange/resources.html

National Efforts – CDC

• Climate and Health Program - http://www.cdc.gov/climateandhealth/

• Building Resilience Against Climate Effects (BRACE) Framework - http://www.cdc.gov/climateandhealth/BRACE.htm

• CDC Climate Ready States - http://www.cdc.gov/climateandhealth/climate_ready.htm

National Efforts - APHA• Climate Change Guide Book -

http://www.apha-environment.org/pdf/APHA_ClimateChg_guidebook.pdf

• Climate Change Webinar Series Part 1 - http://www.apha.org/advocacy/reports/webinars/climatewebinars.htm

• Climate Change Webinar Series Part 2 - http://www.apha.org/advocacy/reports/webinars/series2.htm

National Efforts – Other• NRDC - http://www.nrdc.org/health/climate/

• NIEHS – A Human Health Perspective on Climate Change - http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/assets/docs_a_e/climatereport2010.pdf

• EPA - http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/

Regional/State Efforts• NYS DEC – Climate Change Assessment

http://www.dec.ny.gov/60.html • PA - Climate Change Advisory Committee -

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/climate_change_advisory_committee/10412

• NYC - Climate Adaptation in NYC – NYAS - http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/nyas.2010.1196.issue-1/issuetoc

• NJ - Global Climate Change Site - http://www.state.nj.us/nj/green/global/

• NJ - NJ Climate Adaptation Alliance - http://climatechange.rutgers.edu/njadapt.html