In the Northeast US, heatwaves are projected to increase in frequency, severity, and duration, and the length of the heat season may stretch further into spring and fall. While this region of the country does not have temperatures that are as extreme as other locations, a low prevalence of air conditioning and historically old buildings that were designed to retain heat during cold winters makes it particularly vulnerable to extreme heat exposures. This session will explore solutions for mitigating heat risk in the Northeast US. Innovative strategies that address both the unique vulnerability of the Northeast US and the pitfalls of solely relying on air conditioning will be discussed with local scientists, health practitioners, and decision makers. Given that the Northeast US has not yet committed to widespread penetration of air conditioning, this session will explore innovative alternative strategies for adapting to increasing heat extremes and mitigating heat related illness. We encourage abstracts that focus on how scientific knowledge is used in decision-making, and invite decision-makers and practitioners from disciplines who may not usually attend an AMS meeting to join us to share their work.

Those working in public health, air quality, and environmental management need environmental data to study and understand the geographic, environmental, and meteorological differences in how extreme events affect the public well-being. Novel applications of satellite data offer a unique vantage point and are advancing these fields as well as increasing the impact of public outreach and partnerships between scientists and stakeholders from across the globe.

 

This interdisciplinary panel will curate and discuss a wide suite of satellite data, products, and applications, including GOES, TEMPO, MAIA, TROPOMI, SENTINAL 4, GEMS, AQUA, and TERRA available to the imaginative investigator. We will discuss both historical uses of satellite data and its potential for use in applications designed to further the aims of public health, air quality, and environmental groups (including those focused on environmental justice). Finally, the panel will share strategies for engaging the public.

Climate-sensitive infectious diseases such as Cholera, Dengue, Valley Fever, Zika, West Nile, Lyme, and Chagas, routinely make headlines, popping up in unexpected places as the distribution, feeding ecology and population dynamics of disease vectors such as mosquitos, Vibrios, ticks, and kissing bugs respond to changing environmental drivers. For example, the 2018 Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change indicates that mortality from dengue fever disease is increasing rapidly in the Americas and Southeast Asia, and that as sea surface temperatures rise, the suitability of coastal areas for hosting pathogenic Vibrios increases as well. Meanwhile some climate-sensitive diseases such as Valley Fever are cause by fungal spores which can be carried on the wind – directly linking them to environmental conditions.

There exists an unmet need to develop a deeper understanding of the myriad interlinked climate, vector ecology, and biological mechanisms that can ultimately lead to changes in the epidemiology of these diseases in humans to inform potential health interventions together to avert disease epidemics. This enhanced understanding can be applied to integrated predictive models to increase their skill, and to enable health professionals to plan, prepare, and respond with more lead time.

In this session, we invite abstracts addressing new developments in this field – understanding of mechanics, model improvements, case studies in prediction and early warning, and other outcomes demonstrating and advancing the use of environmental information to manage climate-sensitive infectious diseases.

Extreme weather events and ecosystem changes are increasing with climate change. The health consequences of these events are significant. The environmental hazards of concern span a wide range: extreme temperatures, storms, aeroallergens, wildfire, and drought. This session invites presentations on the economic valuation of the health impacts associated with these hazards. Beyond estimation of risks and impacts, the session also welcomes presentations on the economic cost and effectiveness of interventions aimed to reduce the health impacts. The presentations can be related to, but not restricted to, health costs to healthcare systems and individuals, health insurance implications associated with extreme weather events, and implications of these extreme events on economic and social equity.

Our natural environment affects our mental health. Temperature extremes, storms, floods, and droughts are associated with increases in depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicide, and substance abuse. Mental health also can be affected by climate change altering income, water, and food security, or through conflict and displacement. Climate-sensitive vectorborne diseases can contribute to cognitive, neurological, and mental health problems. This session welcomes abstracts (1) exploring the mental health consequences of weather, climate variability, and climate change; (2) describing populations particularly vulnerable or resilient to these impacts; and (3) exploring approaches to building psychosocial resilience and mental well-being.

In a warming climate, heat waves have become more and more frequent.  However, there is no universal definition or clear understanding of the causes of heat waves.  Yet, the impacts on society can be catastrophic from human and animal diseases and even deaths to crop failures resulting in famine and power outages.  This joint session with the 33^rd Conference on Climate Variability and Change (CVC) will bring together the international climate and health research communities, health practitioners, and decision makers, focusing on climate information and its applications to heat vulnerability, impacts, and adaptation.  Oral and poster presentations are solicited on all topics related to heat waves world wide, that address improved understanding of the mechanism associated with heat waves and predictability at all time scales, hazards of heat waves on human and animal health, and early warning systems to mitigate the impacts of heat waves.

The economic impacts of hydrologic extremes (such as droughts or floods) are extensive and difficult to capture, however products such as the NCEI Billion dollar disasters report and map have greatly improved our ability to assess these damages and to help society appreciate the magnitude of these impacts by putting a dollar value on them. The human health impacts of hydrologic extremes are also extensive and difficult to capture, and we know that health maintenance is essential to a thriving society, yet there is no commensurate systemic assessment of the health impacts of hydrologic extremes. In this session, speakers should examine the myriad health impacts of these extremes--primarily droughts and floods--and examine what this means at a personal level. From this session, we hope to inspire a community effort to work toward understanding the health disaster of hydrologic extremes. One guiding question, to consider is: how do different groups communicate and manage public health risks related to flood and drought? This session will also put a human face on hydrologic extremes by also inviting practitioners to speak to their lived experiences in coping with recent disasters.

Abstracts in this session can include:

1. Need, Insights, Opportunities & Barriers;
2. Big Data in Hyperlocal Assessments.

The economic impacts of hydrologic extremes (such as droughts or floods) are extensive and difficult to capture, however products such as the NCEI Billion dollar disasters report and map have greatly improved our ability to assess these damages and to help society appreciate the magnitude of these impacts by putting a dollar value on them. The human health impacts of hydrologic extremes are also extensive and difficult to capture, and we know that health maintenance is essential to a thriving society, yet there is no commensurate systemic assessment of the health impacts of hydrologic extremes. In this session, speakers should examine the myriad health impacts of these extremes--primarily droughts and floods--and examine what this means at a personal level. From this session, we hope to inspire a community effort to work toward understanding the health disaster of hydrologic extremes. One guiding question, to consider is: how do different groups communicate and manage public health risks related to flood and drought? This session will also put a human face on hydrologic extremes by also inviting practitioners to speak to their lived experiences in coping with recent disasters.

In recent years, the U.S. experienced extreme cold and heat, pollution, and flooding events that have had adverse impacts on human health and livelihoods. According to the Fourth National Climate Assessment, “impacts from climate change on extreme weather and climate-related events, air quality, and the transmission of disease through insects and pests, food, and water increasingly threaten the health and well-being of the American people, particularly populations that are already vulnerable.” Some of the most vulnerable populations to environmental hazards on human health are underrepresented groups in society (e.g. socioeconomically-disadvantaged, special needs, youth, and the elderly). Scientists must ask ourselves: are we adequately preparing all members of the population for an increase in environmental disasters?  Scientists must work together to effectively communicate the hazards to these underrepresented communities and to brainstorm solutions to address their specific needs and concerns regarding climate change and extreme weather. A joint session between the Board on Environment and Health and the Board on Women and Minorities highlights the intersectionality between environmental disasters, human health and livelihood, and vulnerable populations. Topics such as vulnerable populations and extreme weather, human health and air pollution, and environmental racism/justice are encouraged.

In our globalized society, local and regional issues can quickly escalate into global challenges. The health and wealth of nations globally interconnected, as are our supporting natural systems. Human changes to local environments are having global impacts, with climate change a diver of new extremes in our hydrosphere, biosphere, atmosphere, and cryosphere. Future droughts, hurricanes, heat waves, and other extremes may drive future health risks, including from famines, pandemics of water- and vector-borne diseases, and declines in respiratory health.

This joint session will take the mantle from the Town Hall on Environmental Security, at the AMS Centennial. We will continue the discussion begun there with a special focus on global environmental & health security. We invite abstracts that address research and practice in this area, particularly those focused on the Arctic and Middle East/Horn of Africa.

Since the founding of AMS in 1920, understanding the interconnections between weather and health has been a core interest and motivation of the society. Early records of the AMS include numerous articles on “physiological meteorology” debating the influence of climate on health. In the 1950s-60s members of the AMS played a key role establishing the negative effects of air pollution on human health, driving efforts to reduce pollution. Each year members of the AMS do essential work understanding the linkages between the environment and health, including but not limited to heat stress, rainfall, disease,  and morbidity/mortality, driving towards improved resilience, warning, and prediction systems. 11 years ago the AMS Board of Environment and Health (BEH) was established to provide a home for this important dialogue.

In honor of the 100th anniversary of the AMS, and in joint between the Board of Environment and Health and History Symposium, this session explores the history of environment and health research. We welcome a wide range of topics, but particularly encourage submissions related to the history of health-related research in the AMS, past extreme events (ie the 1995 Chicago heat wave; Hurricane Maria and Puerto Rico) and revolutionary prior studies which have altered the trajectory of environment and health research, and interactions between meteorologists, epidemiologists, and health practitioners that have shaped local and national health policy. We hope that this session will provide perspective on the previous 100 years of environment and health research, to shape innovative and productive research agendas for the next century.

Health adaptation aims to protect population health from climate variability and change, and to strengthen health systems to increase preparedness of health care and public health infrastructure to climate-related hazards. Modifications to policies and programs are needed to more effectively manage the multiple, simultaneous challenges that individuals, communities, and health systems will experience over coming decades. To be effective in protecting population health, adaptation plans should incorporate strategies to manage the upstream drivers of adverse health outcomes, explicitly incorporating management of uncertainties. The session will highlight lessons learned and best practices in health adaptation.