Opinion: Earth's Vital Signs
Global warming heats up world's health worries
By Pam Meredith, RN, NP
Monday November 17, 2008
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Pam Meredith, RN, NP
As the heat is dialed up on our planet's thermostat, our health risks will also change.
We are already seeing the tip of the melting iceberg of problems global warming is expected to bring. Being aware of how these threats could affect our health is the start of being able to meet them head-on.
Higher temperatures will generate more dangerous storms, create water and food shortages, encourage the geographic spread of infection, and accelerate deteriorating air quality.
These conditions are expected to rain disaster on populations worldwide, according to Kristen Welker-Hood, RN, MSN, ScD, of Physicians for Social Responsibility, who spoke at the recent Maryland Nurses Association's annual conference.
What health problems might we expect to see as temperatures rise?
Extreme weather: Hurricanes, tornadoes, and other destructive storms will become more fierce, frequent, and prevalent. Remember hurricanes Katrina in 2005 and Ike in September? We can expect more of the same, experts say. A warmer world means heavier rainfall and more flooding, as well. Global warming is also thought to be responsible for producing the hot, dry conditions that have ignited the recent uptick in wildfires. And don't forget about deadly heatwaves.
Water shortages: Heat will evaporate water supplies and bring drought, followed by food shortages. Displaced environmental refugees already are swelling refugee camps, which are notorious hotbeds of disease from overcrowding and compromised sanitary conditions. The number of environmental refugees is increasing in Africa and is expected to rise dramatically worldwide as water becomes more scarce.
Spread of infection: Disease-carrying animals that normally live in warm areas will expand their habitats as temperatures in previously hostile climates become more to their liking. Scientific American magazine said in its October 2008 edition that infections such as malaria, bird flu, West Nile virus, cholera, and yellow fever, to name a few, could become more prevalent as the animal vectors that spread them travel outside their usual boundaries.
Poor air quality: As the atmosphere heats up, ozone levels will increase to even more unhealthy levels. Ozone is an airway irritant known to exacerbate asthma and other pre-existing respiratory conditions. Think about code orange days when ozone levels are high and those at risk are urged to remain indoors. Ozone might even cause airway disease in previously healthy lungs. If that is not bad enough, we know more cases of angina and MIs occur on code orange days.
Experts may continue to have heated disagreements on the causes of global warming, but there is no denying Earth's temperatures are increasing. These changes will bring new challenges for ways to keep people safe and well. As nurses, we need to be aware – and prepare.
Pam Meredith, RN, NP, is Editorial Director of the DC/Maryland/Virginia edition of Nursing Spectrum.
To comment, e-mail editorDC@nursingspectrum.com.
