Climate change, extreme heat, and health
Abstract: Climate change has resulted in an increase in the global mean temperature. In recent decades, Canada has seen a rise in the frequency, duration, and intensity of heat waves. In order to provide patient care and health care delivery with broader strategies for mitigating and adapting to rising temperatures, a comprehensive understanding of the wide range of health impacts of extreme heat exposure is crucial. This presentation will summarize the epidemiological evidence on the health risks associated with heat, its disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations, and the protection strategies that can be taken at both the individual and community-level to prevent these risks.
Speaker Biography:
Eric Lavigne is a Research Scientist with Health Canada and an Adjunct Professor in the School of Epidemiology and Public Health at the University of Ottawa. His research interests include the interconnections between air pollution and climate change, particularly in the context of early life exposure and children's health. The research is aimed at being policy-relevant and contributing to well-informed decision-making to improve the protection of human health.