Vital Perspectives - Climate and Health

The impact of climate change and your health

Climate change is a health emergency affecting everyone. From wildfires and floods to heatwaves and mental health struggles, climate change impacts health in our communities. There are also slower-onset hazards, including increased diseases, droughts, impacts to mental health, and other climate-related health risks.

Who is most affected?

Some groups face more serious risks from climate change, including:

• Farmers and agricultural communities

• Older adults

• Outdoor workers

• People experiencing homelessness

• Immigrants and Indigenous communities

These groups may have higher exposure or fewer resources to protect themselves from health risks.

How are we responding?

SWPH is helping communities adapt and stay healthy in a changing climate. One key project is our vulnerability assessment in partnership with the University of Waterloo's Climate Institute. This study looked at how climate change is impacting vulnerable groups in Oxford County, Elgin County, and the City of St. Thomas.

Climate change impacts in our region

By the 2080s, our region may experience:

• More heatwaves: More days above 32°C.

• Fewer cold days: Frost days could drop by up to 70 days.

• New health risks: More diseases from ticks, mosquitoes, and birds, like West Nile Virus and Avian Influenza.

Vulnerable groups and health risks

Climate change doesn't affect everyone equally. The assessment report included vulnerable groups within our region such as:

• Amish and Low German speaking Mennonite communities

• Outdoor workers

• Immigrants

• Indigenous communities

• Older adults

• Those experiencing homelessness

• Those who may experience heightened susceptibility to climate-related health risks

Stories from our community