Oral

Waterborne diseases claim the lives of around 1.5 million children under 5 every year around the globe; 80% of all illnesses and 1/3 of all deaths in developing countries are related to unsafe water. Climate change is expected to increase risks from waterborne diseases, both in developing and developed countries. Increases in extreme precipitation events, warming water temperatures, and in a growing number of places, reduced access to clean water will all contribute to increasing health risks. As the public health community continues to struggle with the enormous burden of waterborne diseases, the interactions with climate change must be recognized and addressed. This session will provide members with the state of the science understanding of climate change interactions with human health and waterborne diseases.

Session Objectives: Discuss the different mechanisms by which climate change can affect waterborne diseases. Describe the effects of warming water temperatures on the transmission of waterborne pathogens. Describe the relationship between episodes of extreme weather events and waterborne disease outbreaks. Describe the interactions between oceanography and public health.

CE Credits: Medical (CME), Health Education (CHES), Nursing (CNE), Public Health (CPH)