Climate Impacts on Health

Climate change caused by the burning of fossil fuels is leading to environmental changes that affect the health of people in our communities. Shifts in weather patterns are leading to:

• More extreme weather 
• Worsening air quality
• Increasing rates of illness from vectors, food, and water
• Increased anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and other mental health issues

Climate change impacts all communities, but some are affected more than others. Systemic racism has led to social, environmental, health, and economic inequities that are made worse by climate change. These inequities disproportionately impact Black, Native, and other communities of color. Climate change also places a larger burden on certain groups of people, such as people with low incomes, immigrants, persons with disabilities, English language learners, and people with chronic medical conditions. 

Tracking the data on the health impacts of climate change allows us to identify opportunities for actions that help create healthier communities. Read more on our blog: New data dashboards track the impact of climate change on health