2023 Medical Health Officer (MHO) Report: Climate Change, Health and Well-being
The 2023 MHO Report includes stories of innovation and resilience to climate change that are intended to inspire action and creative solutions at the community level.
When efforts to reduce climate risks are coordinated across sectors, there are many social, economic, and cultural co-benefits that support individual and community health, as well as benefiting the health system and the environment.
The 2023 MHO Report includes stories of innovation and resilience to climate change that are intended to inspire action and creative solutions at the community level.
View the Heat Alert & Response Planning for Interior BC Communities:
TOOLKIT
Climate change is already greatly influencing our lives in British Columbia (B.C.). Over the next decades, we expect B.C. to see an increase in several climate-related hazards including heat events, poor air quality, flooding, and other extreme weather events. We know that these hazards negatively affect the physical, mental, and social health of residents living in the region served by Interior Health.
IH’s Community Health and Climate Change maps offer an opportunity to advance our collective understanding about what increases the impacts of climate change for some individuals and communities and contribute to conversations about becoming more resilient by;
Four commonly experienced climate-related hazards in B.C. are:
Access more climate information:
Community Health & Climate Change Maps are a snapshot (in time) that project risks and probability related to weather-related events in the Interior. These maps can promote mobilization of multi-sectoral efforts in preparation, mitigation, and adaptation to improve community health outcomes. These maps can help pinpoint some of the physiological and social determinants of health that play key roles in climate vulnerability. Additionally, they can also identify sub-regions that may need more resources or support to help cope with current and future climate-related stresses and shocks.
Community Health & Climate Change Maps offer users with a starting point for discussion when it comes to planning for the health impacts of the four hazards they address. Within IH, they will be incorporated into larger climate change adaptation planning activities that will ensure services continue to protect the health of the population well into the future.
The maps will also be used to deepen collaboration with Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities as we work towards the common goal of supporting healthy communities as our climate changes.
The maps also offer a resource for those involved in decision making around the built environment, policy development, and program delivery. The findings represented in the maps could support efforts to improve community amenities, address gaps in service provision, increase the quality of housing and infrastructure, and progress other resilience-building endeavours.
Environment and Climate Change Canada defines an extreme heat event:
Southern Interior of B.C.
Two or more consecutive days with temperatures higher or equal to 35 degrees celsius, with minimum overnight temperatures higher or equal to 18 degrees celsius.
Northern or Central Interior of B.C.
Two or more consecutive days with temperatures higher or equal to 29 degrees celsius, with minimum overnight temperatures greater than or equal to 13 degrees celsius.
High temperatures is more of a risk to:
Exposure to extreme cold can lead to injury or death. Risk is especially high for people who are very young, very old, drinking alcohol or not warmly dressed for the weather. You are more likely to feel cold easily if you:
Wildfires can occur during heat season due to lack of rain and hot temperatures that dry up vegetation. This can lead to smoke pollution which can irritate the lungs, cause inflammation, and alter immune function. Wildfire smoke can also lead to worsening of hear and lung disease.
Wildfire is more of a risk to:
It is important to prepare for wildfire smoke to reduce smoke exposure in the home.
Ways to prepare include:
Floods, drought and landslides are becoming common events due to our changing climate. There are many health hazards linked to these events:
To prepare for an environmental health emergency such as floods, drought or landslides, visit our Emergency Preparedness page. For an up-to-the-minute view of current emergency situations in British Columbia, visit Health Emergency Management BC.
Contact Healthy Communities a hbe@interiorhealth.ca about any questions or discussions about the maps.
To learn more about climate impacts visit the Interior Health Climate Change page
The Climate Atlas of Canada combines climate science, mapping, and storytelling together with Indigenous Knowledges and community-based research and video to inspire awareness and action.
Start exploring the Climate Atlas
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