Health impacts of global environmental change

Question 1

4 main categories of global environmental change

Answer 1

Ozone depletion, Climate change, vector Borne diseases, Agricultural productivity

Question 2

What is the Ozone?

Answer 2

natural layer of gas 15-30km above earth- protects from UV radiation

Question 3

How does OD lead to health impacts?

Answer 3

Skin Cancer-UV damages DNA in skin cells, malignant melanoma increase 5x since 1970’s- common in high latitudes, when outdoors, light skinned
Cataracts-loss of transparency in lens of eye- blurry vision- 20 million/year- time of day/setting(reflective surfaces) impact

Question 4

How does climate change lead to health impacts?

Answer 4

Thermal stress
Heat waves= dehydration, overheating, heat stroke/exhaustion- lead to smogs, blue green toxic algae, odor, water shortage, vermin
Cold spells=milder winters- cardiovascular/respiratory impacts, seasonal variation

Question 5

What has led to the increase in vector borne diseases?

Answer 5

Climate belts shifting, higher mortality to unprepared newly developed countries

Question 6

Impacts of vector borne diseases?

Answer 6

Malaria& Dengue- expand in warmer world
Zika Virus- Ades Mosquito bite- rash, muscle pain, conjunctivitis, birth of baby with smaller head
Isolated in 1947 to Kika forest Uganda, spread to south and central america

Question 7

Direct agricultural productivity impacts

Answer 7

high latitudes- yields extended, soya beans more viable further north- 30% increase by 2050
Land- favorable growing conditions- 64% increase by 2080

Question 8

Indirect agricultural productivity impacts

Answer 8

pests and diseases- higher temps, less overwintering mortality of pests
varying rainfall- irrigation extracted from rivers- Nile depends on rainfall
sea level rise- vulnerable

Question 9

Change of nutritional standards in developed regions?

Answer 9

increased prices=lower nutritional quality= obesity etc.
healthier diets= less red meat=lower climate change
new crop& livestock specialties= pesticide and medicine use change= affect food chain and safety

Question 10

Change of nutritional standards in developing regions?

Answer 10

rapid economic growth, nutritional transition, affluence and more western diet (china from rice to meat)

Question 11

Change of nutritional standards in the least developed regions?

Answer 11

vulnerable to loss of production, predictable rainfall patterns essential for rain fed agriculture =floods/drought= farmers sell cattle for extra cash= malnutrition