Future global environmental exposures may be significantly different from historical experience. Forecasting and preparing for the resultant potential ecological, social and population health impacts requires innovative and interdisciplinary research approaches. Because of the nature of the problem and its inherent uncertainties, the standard four-step risk assessment paradigm may not be the most appropriate approach. Integrated assessment is a systems-based approach to understanding complex problems. The main advantage of an integrated assessment is that it can facilitate gaining insights that typically are difficult or impossible to achieve from traditional, single disciplinary research. Specifically for climate change and health, it allows climate change to be put into perspective with other key drivers of health status. These concepts will be illustrated with an integrated assessment model we developed for falciparum malaria in Zimbabwe.
Learning Objectives: NA
Keywords: Climate Change, Environmental Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.