Managing the Health Effects of Temperature in Response to Climate Change: Challenges Ahead

Cunrui Huang,^1,2,3 Adrian G Barnett,¹ Zhiwei Xu,¹ Cordia Chu,^2,3 Xiaoming Wang,⁴ Lyle R Turner,¹ and Shilu Tong¹

¹School of Public Health & Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia; ²Centre for Environment and Population Health, School of Environment, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia; ³Griffith Climate Change Response Program, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia; ⁴CSIRO Climate Adaptation Flagship and CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Melbourne, Australia

Advance Publication

Abstract

Background: Although many studies have shown that high temperatures are associated with an increased risk of mortality and morbidity, there has been little research on managing the process of planned adaptation to alleviate the health effects of heat events and climate change. In particular, economic evaluation of public health adaptation strategies has been largely absent from both the scientific literature and public policy discussion.

Objectives: This paper aims to discuss how public health organizations should implement adaptation strategies, and how to improve the evidence base for policies to protect health from heat events and climate change.

Discussion: Public health adaptation strategies to cope with heat events and climate change fall into two categories: reducing the heat exposure and managing the health risks. Strategies require a range of actions, including timely public health and medical advice, improvements to housing and urban planning, early warning systems, and the assurance that health care and social systems are ready to act. Some of these actions are costly, and the implementation should be based on the cost-effectiveness analysis given scarce financial resources. Therefore, research is required not only on the temperature-related health costs, but also on the costs and benefits of adaptation options. The scientific community must ensure that the health co-benefits of climate change policies are recognized, understood and quantified.

Conclusions: The integration of climate change adaptation into current public health practice is needed to ensure they increase future resilience. The economic evaluation of temperature-related health costs and public health adaptation strategies are particularly important for policy decisions.

Citation: Huang C, Barnett AG, Xu Z, Chu C, Wang X, Turner LR, Tong S. Environ Health Perspect (): .doi:10.1289/ehp.1206025

Received: September 18, 2012; Accepted: February 5, 2013; Published: February 12, 2013

Advance Publication

This EHP Advance Publication article has been peer-reviewed, revised, and accepted for publication. The EHP Advance Publication articles are completely citable using the assigned DOI code for the article. This document will be replaced with the copyedited and formatted version as soon as it is available. Through the DOI number used in the citation, you will be able to access this document at each stage of the publication process.