How climate change can affect our health, from heat-related illnesses to extreme weather events. Climate change affects not just the planet but the people who live on it. In this book, physician Alan Lockwood describes how global warming will be bad for our health. Drawing on peer-reviewed scientific and medical research, Lockwood meticulously details the symptoms of climate change and their medical side effects. Our global ecosystems create webs of interdependence that support life on the planet. Lockwood shows how climate change is affecting these ecosystems and describes the resulting impact on health. For example, rising temperatures create long-duration heat waves during which people sicken and die. Climate change increases the risk for certain infectious diseases, including malaria, dengue fever, West Nile virus, Zika, and Lyme disease. Extreme weather and poor soil conditions cause agricultural shortfalls, leading to undernutrition and famine. There is even evidence that violence increases in warmer weather—including a study showing that pitchers throw “beanballs” (balls thrown with the intention of hitting the batter) significantly more often in hot weather. Climate change is real and it is happening now. We must use what we know to adapt to a warmer world and minimize adverse health effects: make city buildings cooler with air conditioning and “cool roofs,” for example, and mobilize resources for predicted outbreaks of disease. But, Lockwood points out, we also need prevention. The ultimate preventive medicine is reducing greenhouse gas emissions and replacing energy sources that depend on fossil fuels with those that do not.

This book could save your life! The No-Nonsense Guide To Heat Wave, Drought,& Hot Weather Safety--Enhanced Edition is the re-edited guide focusing on preparation and planning for natural (and man-made) disasters. This guide is designed to provide a comprehensive source for the latest research related to hot-weather safety. Subjects covered include: providing a basic understanding of hot weather and its effects on the human body; addressing long-held myths on what helps to stay cool (and what doesn't); the effects of droughts and heat waves; how to be proactive in preparing for hot weather; water-saving strategies; providing sound advice by government & weather professionals/researchers on the best courses of action during hot-weather events. This manual also contains several updated appendices that include: a list of useful weather-warning smartphone and computer apps, a guide to specific types of sunburns, and several other relevant hot-weather topics, and a larger size.

Maine's varied geography invites a variety of weather conditions. But, as former Maine State climatologist Gregory Zielinski proves, there's much more to Maine's weather than that. Jet stream, Gulf Stream, cold Canadian air masses, ocean temperature, and much more contribute to the challenges of predicting the weather here. Find out what makes Maine's weather so changeable - as well as endlessly fascinating.

This book provides fundamental concepts in human thermal physiology and their applications in general public, occupational, military, and athletics settings from the biometeorological perspective. The book includes a section on human physiology, epidemiology and special considerations in aforementioned populations, and behavioral and technological adjustments people may take to combat thermal environmental stress and safeguard their health. The book is the first of its kind to compile multiple disciplines - human physiology, climatology, and medicine - in one to provide fundamental concepts in human thermal physiology and their applications in general public, occupational, military, and athletics settings from the biometeorological perspective; Developed by experts, scientists, and physicians from exercise physiology, climatology, public health, sports medicine, and military medicine; Highlights special considerations and applications of thermal physiology to general public, occupational, military, and athletics settings.

From the San Diego wildfires to multi-drug-resistant strains of bacteria, communities are facing an ever-growing list of potential disasters. Some events, like pandemic flu or anthrax attacks, are public health emergencies first and foremost. Hurricane Katrina taught us, however, that lack of planning for the frail, elderly, and impoverished population can turn a natural disaster into a healthcare nightmare and lead to needless death and suffering. Emergency managers and public health professionals must integrate their prevention and response efforts to serve their communities most effectively. The structure of each chapter offers an innovative approach to organizing key information: 1. Case Study or Historical Example 2. Disaster-specific Terms Defined 3. Disaster Description 4. Health Threat (Morbidity and Mortality) 5. Prevention 6. Immediate Actions 7. Recovery or Managing the Aftermath 8. Summary Disasters and Public Health is a crucial tool in planning for and responding to the health impact of any crisis situation. Bruce Clements served over 20 years in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard as a Public Health Officer and a Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Warfare Defense Instructor, a Hazardous Materials Specialist with an Urban Search and Rescue Team, and as a Safety Officer with a Disaster Medical Assistance Team. He also served as the Public Health Preparedness Director of Missouri in 2006, when the state experienced a record number of disaster declarations. Throughout his years of experience, he frequently needed to track down a variety of references to quickly understand what was needed for an effective public health response in various situations. He has researched and compiled this information on the health impact of a wide range of disasters into one quick reference. Emergency managers can also no longer afford to be surprised by the next crisis that erupts. This book guides planners in both disciplines in preventing tragedies by most effectively preparing and responding when disaster strikes. Prevent or respond to disasters from terrorism to pandemic flu Examine the critical intersection of emergency management and public health Benefit from the author's years of experience in emergency response

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