Our climate is changing and these changes are affecting human health in our region. Climate change hazards, such as those highlighted in the image below, affect physical and mental health and community wellbeing. While everyone is at risk to the effects of climate change, these effects will be greater for populations already experiencing health inequities based on factors like income, health status, age and gender. These factors are known as the determinants of health.
Image source: Levison et al, 2018. Development of a Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment Using a Public Health Lens to Determine Local Health Vulnerabilities: An Ontario Health Unit Experience. Int J Environ Res Public Health 15(10): doi 10.3390/ijerph15102237.
This HealthSTATS section provides an overview of climate change vulnerability and the expected health impacts in our region, across six climate-sensitive categories. Climate change vulnerability is a function of sensitivity and susceptibility, exposure to climate variability, and the capacity to adapt (otherwise referred to as ‘adaptive capacity’).
The following sections contain data and information pertaining to climate change in Simcoe Muskoka:
Further Reading
For more information on the current impacts, health burdens, and future projections for each climate-related category, see:
Page Last Modified: August 18, 2020.