Health Impacts from Weather and Climate
Possible Health Impacts from Weather and Climate
Health impacts from weather and climate can be direct or indirect:
- An example of a direct impact is an increase in heat-related illness from higher summertime temperatures and more heat waves.
- An example of an indirect impact is an increase in Lyme disease across New York State because of an expansion of the area where the deer ticks that spread Lyme disease to people may be found.
Examples of Impacts Related to Storms, Heavy or Prolonged Rain, and Flooding
- Mold
- Flooding
- Injury
- Tetanus
- Contamination of Water & Food
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Asthma & Allergies
- Lyme Disease
- West Nile Virus
- Stress and other psychological effects
- Barriers to getting medication or treatment for health conditions
Examples of Impacts Related to Periods of Extremely Hot Weather
- Heat Illness and Heat Stress
- Worsening of Heart or Lung Diseases
- Asthma & Allergies
Examples of Long-Term Impacts from a Warmer, Wetter Climate
- Worsening of Heart, Lung, or Kidney Diseases
- Asthma & Allergies
- Increasing Vector-Borne (Lyme Disease, West Nile Virus) Diseases and Changes in Where Diseases Occur
- Contamination of Water & Food
To learn more about potential impacts from climate, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
