Second story in Vital Perspectives series tackles climate change

Southwestern Public Health using storytelling and statistics in Vital Perspectives series to encourage resilient communities for future generations

Climate change is a health emergency that has far-reaching impacts – particularly for vulnerable individuals – and requires communities to become resilient to our changing environment. This is the message of the second segment in the four-part Vital Perspectives storytelling series from Southwestern Public Health.

Extreme weather, poor air quality, ultraviolet radiation, and vector-borne disease risks are all directly related to climate change. Southwestern Public Health recently collaborated with the Climate Institute of Waterloo on an assessment report about the heightened impact of these risks on vulnerable individuals. It identified a combination of factors contributing to health risks, including elevated levels of exposure from working conditions, language barriers, age or structural barriers.

“The vulnerability assessment helps us to better understand the actions we can take ourselves and as a community to reduce climate-related health impacts, says Cynthia St. John, Chief Executive Officer at Southwestern Public Health. “This is especially important as we consider how to influence policymakers and guide decisions that create resilient communities for future generations.”

Vital Perspectives: Climate Change & Health features a collection of stories from various voices in the community and highlights topics from the vulnerability assessment to encourage understanding about how climate change relates to health. Launched in 2023, Vital Perspectives is a four-part series that focuses on how issues – including climate change, opioids, and community belonging – have a direct impact on health and well-being. The health unit plans to share the remaining two stories over the coming year.

“Through this second segment in this series, we hope to provide new insights and perspectives to inspire advocacy for our vulnerable populations, as well as get closer to bridging knowledge gaps in what effects climate has on our health long-term,” says St. John.

Visit swpublichealth.ca/vitalperspectives to learn more.