ESHH 519 Environmental Health in a Changing World

Human health is profoundly affected by the environment in many complex ways. This complexity is further compounded by global climate changes currently taking place. The impacts both now and in the future are likely to include: increased frequency of extreme weather (heat waves, flooding, drought); degraded air and water quality; the spread and/or re-emergence of vector-borne diseases; changes in food safety and food security; and population displacement or civil unrest. The severity of impacts and the affect on burden of disease depends on proactive public health policy and planning at local, national and global scales. This course will provide a basis for understanding why, how and when climate change becomes a public health concern and explore mitigation and adaptation strategies to improve human health and well-being in the future.