Monitoring to Create Indicators of Health Impacts of Climate Change and Community Vulnerabilities

Several efforts are underway internationally and domestically to document the impacts of climate change on human health via indicators. Environmental health indicators of climate change are being developed from environmental monitoring data, morbidity and mortality surveillance data, information on underlying vulnerability, energy usage and efficiency, and adaptation and policy indicators. Accurate indicators of the effects of climate change on health, and indicators of community vulnerabilities and preparedness are needed through surveillance to develop public health adaptation strategies. Dr. English will discuss the progress of these various initiatives, discuss efforts to validate vulnerability indices, and evaluate where we need to progress to develop new monitoring systems.