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Assessing the health effects of climate change in Alaska with community-based surveillance

Author

Listed:
  • David L. Driscoll

    (University of Alaska Anchorage)

  • Erica Mitchell

    (University of Alaska Anchorage)

  • Rebecca Barker

    (University of Alaska Anchorage)

  • Janet M. Johnston

    (University of Alaska Anchorage)

  • Sue Renes

    (University of Alaska Fairbanks)

Abstract

The environmental effects of climate change are greatest in the northern latitudes. There is a need for epidemiological investigations to assess the health impacts of climate change on the health of residents of the circumpolar north. This study employed a participatory, community-based surveillance system to collect repeated observations of environmental conditions and syndromic health outcomes in sentinel communities across three ecologically distinct regions of Alaska. The study revealed that unintentional injury was significantly more likely in months when respondents reported unseasonable environmental conditions, and particularly so when they changed travel plans as a consequence of those conditions. The study also found that incidence of respiratory syndromes, such as pollen allergies and asthma, were significantly higher during months when unseasonable environmental conditions were observed. We conclude that unseasonable environmental conditions likely associated with climate change are having adverse effects on the health of circumpolar northern populations.

Suggested Citation

  • David L. Driscoll & Erica Mitchell & Rebecca Barker & Janet M. Johnston & Sue Renes, 2016. "Assessing the health effects of climate change in Alaska with community-based surveillance," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 137(3), pages 455-466, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:climat:v:137:y:2016:i:3:d:10.1007_s10584-016-1687-0
    DOI: 10.1007/s10584-016-1687-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. James Ford & Will Vanderbilt & Lea Berrang-Ford, 2012. "Authorship in IPCC AR5 and its implications for content: climate change and Indigenous populations in WGII," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 113(2), pages 201-213, July.
    2. Patricia Cochran & Orville Huntington & Caleb Pungowiyi & Stanley Tom & F. Chapin & Henry Huntington & Nancy Maynard & Sarah Trainor, 2013. "Indigenous frameworks for observing and responding to climate change in Alaska," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 120(3), pages 557-567, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Alexandra Sawatzky & Ashlee Cunsolo & Andria Jones-Bitton & Jacqueline Middleton & Sherilee L. Harper, 2018. "Responding to Climate and Environmental Change Impacts on Human Health via Integrated Surveillance in the Circumpolar North: A Systematic Realist Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-37, November.
    2. Alexandra Sawatzky & Ashlee Cunsolo & Andria Jones-Bitton & Dan Gillis & Michele Wood & Charlie Flowers & Inez Shiwak & Sherilee L. Harper, 2020. "“The best scientists are the people that’s out there”: Inuit-led integrated environment and health monitoring to respond to climate change in the Circumpolar North," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 160(1), pages 45-66, May.

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