NDCA

News for Release: Thursday, July 17, 2008

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

EPA Releases Report on Climate Change and Health

Contact: Roxanne Smith, (202) 564-4355 / smith.roxanne@epa.gov

(Washington, D.C. - July 17, 2008) The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency has released a report that discusses the potential impacts of
climate change on human health, human welfare, and communities in the
U.S. The report, entitled “Analyses of the Effects of Global Change on
Human Health and Welfare and Human Systems,” also identifies adaptation
strategies to help respond to the challenges of a changing climate and
identifies near- and long-term research goals for addressing data and
knowledge gaps.

The report discusses the challenges and potential effects of climate
change, including unusual or unexpected weather, and how some
individuals and communities may be disproportionately affected by
climate change, including the elderly, the poor, children, and people
with chronic medical conditions. However, the U.S. has well-developed
public health infrastructures and environmental programs that protect
our air and water, which can help minimize the impacts.

The Global Change Research Program in EPA’s Office of Research and
Development led the development of this report. It is one of 21
synthesis and assessment products commissioned by the U.S. Climate
Change Science Program.

The peer-reviewed report is the most up-to-date synthesis and assessment
of scientific literature on the impact of global change on human health,
welfare and settlements in the United States. It was developed following
the guidelines developed by the CCSP.

The CCSP was established in 2002 to provide the Nation with
science-based knowledge to manage the risks and opportunities of change
in the climate and related environmental systems. The program is
responsible for coordinating and integrating the research of 13 federal
agencies on climate and global change.

Information on Analyses of the Effects of Global Change on Human Health
and Welfare and Human Systems:
http://cfpub.epa.gov/ncea/cfm/recordisplay.cfm?deid=197244

The Office of Research and Development’s Global Change Research Program:
http://www.epa.gov/ord/npd/globalresearch-intro.htm

The U.S. Climate Change Science Program (CCSP):
http://www.climatescience.gov/