If you’ve been living in Minnesota for the past few years, you’ve likely had conversations with friends and colleagues about the seemingly erratic weather we’ve experienced of late. This year a lot of us didn’t have snow on the ground for Christmas, while last year we we’re buried underneath a polar vortex. There’s no debate that these odd seasonal swings have affected us in one way or another, but health researchers now say the shifting climate will have “serious consequences for human health and well-being,” according to the Minnesota Department of Health.
While the cold winters may be the most noticeable, it’s the other seasons that may have the biggest impact on your health. According to the data, the erratic seasons may lead to certain health conditions, including:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer, heart disease, allergies and asthma do to increasing levels of air pollution.
- Heat stroke, organ failure, kidney problems and other heat-related injuries caused by extreme heat during the summer.
- Increased water injuries and drownings during periods of heavy rain, while drought could bring more cases of mental stress and waterborne disease.
- An uptick in diseases spread by animals like mosquitoes or ticks, such as West Nile virus and Lyme disease due to changes in Minnesota’s ecosystems.
The state’s health department said the Minnesota Climate and Health Profile Report is designed to serve as a wake-up call for local community leaders and planners. Health department officials hope public leaders use the data to develop prevention techniques and treatment plans.
“We now have two important tools for Minnesotans to use to help gauge the potential health impacts of climate change in their communities and develop strategies to lessen or adapt to those impacts,” said Ed Ehlinger, Minnesota Commissioner of Health, in reference to the recent report and a climate vulnerability assessment published last October.
The State Health Department said staff members will be traveling across Minnesota in the coming months to hold regional meetings to share and discuss climate change adaptation efforts.
Related source: Duluth News Tribune
