1. Climate crisis risks to elderly health: strategies for effective promotion and response.
- Author
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Hosseini, Mahsa Madani, Zargoush, Manaf, and Ghazalbash, Somayeh
- Subjects
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ELDER care , *ENVIRONMENTAL health , *PSYCHOLOGICAL resilience , *GOVERNMENT policy , *WILDFIRES , *GREENHOUSE effect , *INTERPROFESSIONAL relations , *SELF-efficacy , *CLIMATE change , *MEDICAL care , *RISK management in business , *BENCHMARKING (Management) , *CRISIS intervention (Mental health services) , *STRATEGIC planning , *WORLD health , *VECTOR-borne diseases , *ROOT cause analysis , *EXTREME weather , *POLLUTION , *CONCEPTUAL structures , *GEOGRAPHIC information systems , *HEALTH promotion , *HEALTH equity , *EMERGENCY management , *NATURAL disasters , *PSYCHOLOGICAL vulnerability , *OLD age - Abstract
The climate crisis significantly impacts the health and well-being of older adults, both directly and indirectly. This issue is of growing concern in Canada due to the country's rapidly accelerating warming trend and expanding elderly population. This article serves a threefold purpose: (i) outlining the impacts of the climate crisis on older adults, (ii) providing a descriptive review of existing policies with a specific focus on the Canadian context, and (iii) promoting actionable recommendations. Our review reveals the application of current strategies, including early warning systems, enhanced infrastructure, sustainable urban planning, healthcare access, social support systems, and community engagement, in enhancing resilience and reducing health consequences among older adults. Within the Canadian context, we then emphasize the importance of establishing robust risk metrics and evaluation methods to prepare for and manage the impacts of the climate crisis efficiently. We underscore the value of vulnerability mapping, utilizing geographic information to identify regions where older adults are most at risk. This allows for targeted interventions and resource allocation. We recommend employing a root cause analysis approach to tailor risk response strategies, along with a focus on promoting awareness, readiness, physician training, and fostering collaboration and benchmarking. These suggestions aim to enhance disaster risk management for the well-being and resilience of older adults in the face of the climate crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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