Climate change and its impact on population health in Southern China: Implication for adaptation policy.
Abstract
As part of the ACCC project, the Guangdong Center for Disease Control and Prevention (GDCDC) is undertaking the first comprehensive study in China into the health impacts and adaptation policy of climate change. This policy brief summarizes findings from this research. Key messages are:-
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The research on climate change and health conducted in Guangdong province indicates that extreme climate events, such as heat wave and cold spells, increased the risk of mortality and infectious diseases.
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Vulnerability to heat wave was higher in economically undeveloped regions; there is a large room to improve the risk perception and adaptation behaviors of heat waves in the public.
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Meteorological and health departments should cooperate to build up and improve the monitoring systems on climate change and public health in the whole Guangdong province.
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Establishing a multi-sectoral cooperation mechanism to develop and implement temperature early warning system will substantially help to minimize adverse health impacts of climate change.
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Risk communication strategies and adaptation policies should be developed by provincial authority to improve risk perception to climate change and further reduce the adverse health impacts of climate change.
Citation
Adapting to Climate Change in China (ACCC). Climate change and its impact on population health in Southern China: Implication for adaptation policy. ACCC Policy Brief, Adapting to Climate Change in China (ACCC), Beijing, China (2011) 6 pp.
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