Temperature, precipitation, and extreme weather events can negatively affect the health of populations throughout Iowa and the entire world. Climate changes can negatively impact agriculture, increase heat waves, reduce air quality, and increase food-, water-, and animal-borne diseases.
In general, public health impacts from climate change are predicted to include increases in:
- Number of persons experiencing heat stress
- Worsening of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases
- Worsening of asthma and allergies
- Illnesses caused by lower water quality
- Geographic range and frequency of vector-borne diseases
- Those with pre-existing health problems (e.g., asthma, cardiovascular disease), limited resources, and located in areas of greater risk (e.g., flood zones) are most at risk to climate-related impacts.