Climate change and public health in California: A structured review of exposures, vulnerable populations, and adaptation measures

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Jerrett, Michael; Connolly, Rachel; Garcia-Gonzales, Diane A.; Bekker, Claire; Nguyen, Jenny T.; Su, Jason; Li, Yang; Marlier, Miriam E.
• 署名单位: University of California System; University of California Los Angeles; University of California System; University of California Berkeley; Baylor University
• 刊物名称: PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0027-11352
• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2310081121
• 发表日期: 2024-08-06
• 关键词: hospital admissions; particulate matter; UNITED-STATES; extreme heat; los-angeles; impacts; smoke; dust; urban; fire

摘要

California faces several serious direct and indirect climate exposures that can adversely affect public health, some of which are already occurring. The public health burden now and in the future will depend on atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations, underlying population vulnerabilities, and adaptation efforts. Here, we present a structured review of recent literature to examine the leading climate risks to public health in California, including extreme heat, extreme precipitation, wildfires, air pollution, and infectious diseases. Comparisons among different climate- health pathways are difficult due to inconsistencies in study design regarding spatial and temporal scales and health outcomes examined. We find, however, that the current public health burden likely affects thousands of Californians each year, depending on the exposure pathway and health outcome. Further, while more evidence exists for direct and indirect proximal health effects that are the focus of this review, distal pathways (e.g., impacts of drought on nutrition) are more uncertain but could add to this burden. We find that climate adaptation measures can provide significant health benefits, particularly in disadvantaged communities. We conclude with priority recommendations for future analyses and solution- driven policy actions.