“Synthesis on Public Health Impacts of Climate Change”

“Synthesis on Public Health Impacts of Climate Change”

Dr. Gina S. Itchon, MD, MMED Sc

Mindanao State University- Iligan Institute of Technology 
September 6, 2012 @ 8 AM, Institute Mini Theater

The climate of the Philippines is influenced by complex interactions of various factors such as Philippine geography and topography, semi-permanent cyclones and anti-cyclones, principal air streams and linear systems such as “amihan” or the northeast monsoon and “habagat” or the southwest monsoon, ocean currents, local thunderstorms, tropical cyclones starting from a low pressure area to a tropical depression and leads to a tropical storm and then worst becoming a typhoon; and most recently, the human activity has been accepted to affect and somehow change our climate. Today, the world is faced with one of the most serious problems brought about climate change. And that is the issue of global warming. Global mean surface temperatures have increased 0.5-1.0°F since the late 19th century. The 20th century's 10 warmest years all occurred in the last 15 years of the century. Of these, 1998 was the warmest year on record. Global warming arises when there is an increased atmospheric concentration of greenhouse gases. The greenhouse gases are subdivided into two categories of sources. These are the primary sources and the artificial sources. Primary sources are natural existing gases in our atmosphere such as carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4), water vapor and ozone (O3). While, man made sources are simply the product of human activity such as halo carbons used as cooling agents and propellants, etc, chlorine liberated from CFC’s, bromine used in flame retardants, and other compounds created from industrial processes. Other contributory factors which significantly share emissions of gases are an increased agriculture, deforestation, landfill, industrial production and mining. Because there is a climate change, how does it affect the lives of every Filipino individual? Philippines is visited by average of 20 typhoons every year. With the projected increase in temperature, this could mean much stronger and more intense tropical cyclones. It is highly susceptible to typhoons located within Pacific Typhoon belt area. The Philippines is an archipelago composed of 7,100 islands with low lying areas. There is highly susceptible to sea level rise among longest coastlines in the world with 32,400 km. (Susceptible to storm surges). There will be climate variability and extreme weather like what we had experience the 2011 enormous flash flood brought by Typhoon Sendong and massive damages caused by Typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng were worst in history. Another is poor urban quality; heat stress and air pollution and social disruption. Hence we could say, these are not just coincidence, but rather, all of these are related to climate change. In the health care sector, the impacts are greatly devastating. Studies have shown that aside from sunburn, skin cancers, and cataracts, wearing certain sunglasses may enhance exposure of the lens and retina to harmful UV rays. This is because the iris opens wider to compensate for the reduced visible light and then more penetration of UV can reach the retina. Another, UV rays can suppress the human immune system leaving the body vulnerable to many diseases caused by bacteria and viruses. Experts predict that an estimated 10 % reduction in the ozone layer will result in a 25 % increase in non-melanoma skin cancer rates for temperate latitudes by the year 2050. Next is an increase in vector-borne infectious diseases such as dengue fever which was known to be seasonal but is now whole year round infection and unpredictable food security like the rice crisis in last 2008. Lastly,very dry months will result to the possibility of water shortage. Increasing population will result to increasing demand for water. As concern citizens, it is a great challenge on how to adapt and mitigate to this climate change. So, what can we then contribute to help alleviate this concern? In my opinion, we should it start it first in our home.Change lights and replace the conventional bulbs. Look for energy saver products. Heat and cool smartly equipment tuned annually. Seal and insulate your home (air-conditioned rooms)Sealing air leaks and adding more insulation to your home. Use friendly electricity that is generated from renewable energy sources such as wind and the sun. Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Re-cycle newspapers, beverage containers, paper and other goods. Use water efficiently. Be smart when irrigating your lawn or landscape; only water when needed and do it during the coolest part of the day, early morning is best. Turn the water off while shaving, brushing teeth and hand washing. Do not use toilet as a waste basket because water is wasted with each flush. It is said that only 2% of world’s water is fresh water. Therefore, conserve water. Furthermore in the health care setting, what should be our adaptation and mitigation measures? Although this is not our main responsibility but as nursing students, we cannot just neglect these. It is strongly suggested to conduct a study and proposal on database system of communicable diseases related to climate change, in evaluating the implementation of ecological solid waste management and the recycle, re-use and reduce program to hospitals, laboratories and medical devices, and in constructing geo-hazard mapping of Iligan City. These researches will be recommended to the City Health Office of Iligan. Another is to establish more linkages and workable partnerships with the government and private sectors to conduct community awareness, proper warning system, mutual aid arrangement and mock, drill training practice in line with the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management and Council plans and policies.