218 - The Health Impacts of Climate Change

The health impacts of climate change can be severe: asthma attacks triggered by mold from flooding, infectious diseases spread by mosquitoes which thrive in warmer and wetter climates, and violent conflict over dwindling clean water sources. Dr. Megan Latshaw talks with Stephanie Desmon about a new report card grading states on how well they are prepared to protect people from health effects linked with climate change, showing which states are most vulnerable and how a coordinated national response could help prevent catastrophic impacts. For more information, visit www.climateandhealthreport.org. KEYWORDS: natural disaster; policy; environmental health