Preparing for the Public Health Impacts of Climate Change
There is growing evidence that our climate is changing, and that these changes affect the health and well-being of citizens in countries throughout the world, including the United States and Michigan.
The Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) is working in partnership with local health departments, researchers, and decision-makers to address the adverse human health impacts of climate change. MDCH is preparing for these changes by:
Climate and Health News Watch
The Climate & Health Program compiles and distributes its newsletter, Climate & Health News Watch, on a quarterly basis. The newsletter contains articles and important information on the following public health topics:
- Climate & Health News & Articles
- Health Impact Assessments
- Climate Impacts in Michigan and the Great Lakes
- Climate Research Tools & Resources
Read the First Issue!
For questions, article ideas, or to receive the Climate & Health News Watch electronically, contact Dominic Smith at smithd82@michigan.gov.
Heat and Health Resources
Surviving Michigan Summer Heat
Press Release: MDCH Advises Caution in Hot Weather
CDC Extreme Heat
Preventing Heat Stress for Outdoor Workers
NIOSH Recommendations
Hot Weather Practice Guidelines for Athletes
Michigan High School Athletic Association
Michigan 2-1-1 Call Centers
(Cooling Center Locations and Transportation)
Climate & Health Resources
MDCH Climate & Health Adaptation Strategic Plan
Michigan Climate Action Plan
Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
Emerging Diseases
Centers for Disease Control
Environmental Protection Agency
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
Health Impact Assessment (HIA)
HIA Grant Awards Announcement The awardees are listed below with a brief description of their project.
Ingham County Health Department, Lansing, MI
Ingham County Health Department in partnership with Public Sector Consultants will evaluate options for climate sustainability and environmental benefits by conducting an HIA of key-motorized transportation elements of the City of East Lansing's draft Climate Sustainability Plan and Non-Motorized Transportation Plan.
City of Grand Rapids (Planning), Grand Rapids, MI
The City of Grand Rapids Planning Department in partnership with Kent County Health Department will evaluate three development scenarios of the Michigan Street Corridor to alleviate traffic congestion, accommodate additional land development, ensure access to housing and needed services for disadvantaged populations, and improve the physical health and wellbeing of the community.
HIA in Michigan
CDC Promotes HIA
World Health Organization
Human Impact Partners
Health Impact Project
Climate Research in Michigan
Michigan Climate Coalition
Great Lakes Integrated Sciences & Assessments (GLISA)
Climate Change in the Great Lakes Video
Michigan State University
Michigan Sea Grant
University of Michigan
Publications
Confronting Climate Change in the U.S. Midwest - MIchigan
Union of Concerned Scientists
Climate Change: The Public Health Response
Dr. Howard Frumkin
Analysis of the Effects of Global Change on Human Health and Welfare and Human Systems
U.S. Climate Change Science Program
Health Problems Heat Up: Climate Change and the Public's Health
Trust for American's Health
Fact Sheets and Brochures
MICHAP Brochure
What You Should Know About Climate Change
Recycling and Hazardous Household Waste Management
Surviving Michigan Summer Heat!
Poster Presentations
6 Reasons Why We Should Prepare for Climate Change in Michigan
Human Health
Those most at risk are the elderly, infants, people with chronic medical conditions, and individuals with mental illness, asthma and other respiratory illnesses.
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Hotter Days
The 20 warmest years in the U.S. have occurred since 1981. Ten of the warmest years occurred in the past 12 years. Michigan is expected to have more days over 90 degrees Fahrenheit and 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat waves already kill more people in the U.S. each year than hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and lightening combined. |
Increased Storms and Flooding
Increased rainfall can lead to more flooding, delays in planting spring crops, and a declining water quality in rivers, steams, and storage reservoirs.
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Drought
With a warmer climate, droughts could become more frequent, severe, and longer-lasting. |
Decreased Water Levels
Water levels in the Great Lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands will decline in the summer and winter. The greatest declines are expected for Lake Huron and Lake Michigan.
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Less Ice Cover
Rising temperatures is causing less ice cover during winter months. Declines in ice cover on the Great Lakes and inland lakes are expected to continue.
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Take Action and
Make a Difference!
$800 Savings Challenge
Save money while decreasing greenhouse gas emissions
Climate Change Check Sheet
Fifty actions that reduce greenhouse emissions
Michigan Climate Challenge
Reduce greenhouse gases through one or more actions
Environmental Protection Agency
What you can do at home, at the office, on the road, at school
For More Information
For more information about this project, contact the Michigan Department of Community Health, Division of Environmental Health at
1-800-648-6942.
