Climate change and health risks: assessing and responding to them through 'adaptive management'

Health Aff (Millwood). 2011 May;30(5):924-30. doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2011.0071.

Abstract

Climate change and associated changing weather patterns, including severe weather events, are expected to increase the prevalence of a wide range of health risks. Yet there is uncertainty about the timing, location, and severity of these changes. Adaptive management, a structured process of decision making in the face of imperfect information, is an approach that can help the public health field effectively anticipate, plan for, and respond to the health risks of climate change. In this article I describe adaptive management and how it could increase the effectiveness of local and national strategies, policies, and programs to manage climate-sensitive health outcomes.

MeSH terms

  • Air Pollution / adverse effects
  • Climate Change*
  • Communicable Diseases / epidemiology
  • Decision Making, Organizational*
  • Extreme Heat
  • Food Supply
  • Forecasting
  • Health Policy / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Health Policy / trends
  • Health Status Indicators*
  • Humans
  • Malnutrition / epidemiology
  • Public Health / legislation & jurisprudence*
  • Public Health / trends
  • World Health Organization