Presentation of Dr. Lydia Leonardo, College of Public Health, UP Manila, on "Impacts of Climate Change to Health," during the UP Manila Conference on Global Climate Change, held October 22-23, 2009 at the Pearl Garden Hotel, Manila.

1. Lydia R. Leonardo, DrPH College of Public Health University of the Philippines Manila

10. “ Overall, climate change is projected to increase threats to human health,particularly in lower income populations,predominantly within tropical/subtropical countries.” Third Assessment Report the IPCC (2001)

11. “ The actual health impacts will be strongly influenced by local environmental conditions and socio-economic circumstances, and by the range of social, institutional, technological, and behavioural adaptations taken to reduce the full range of threats to health.”

13. “ The vulnerability of a population depends on factors such as population density, level of economic development, food availability, income level and distribution, local environmental conditions, pre-existing health status, and the quality and availability of public health care.”

18. An Initial Examination of Potential Association of Climate Change and Some Facets of Health Based on Philippine Weather and Health Reports Jonathan David A. Flavier MD, MA; Lead Researcher Maria Lourdes L. Baylon MA and Glenn Roy V. Paraso MD, MPH; Co-Researchers COOPERATIVE MOVEMENT FOR ENCOURAGING NSV (CMEN) 15-B Matapat Street, Barangay Pinyahan, Quezon City, 1100 Philippines

28. • changes in air pollution and aeroallergen levels • altered transmission of other infectious diseases • effects on food production via climatic influences on plant pests and diseases • drought and famine population displacement due to natural disasters, crop failure, water shortages Health Impacts that are not currently quantifiable (1)

29. • destruction of health infrastructure in natural disasters • conflict over natural resources • direct impacts of heat and cold Health Impacts that are not currently quantifiable (2)

30. Adaptation “ Adjustment in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or their effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities.”

31. Adaptive Capacity “ The ability of a system to adjust to climate change (including climate variability and extremes) to moderate potential damages, to take advantage of opportunities, or to cope with consequences.”

32. The extent to which human health is affected depends on: (i) The exposures of populations to climate change and its environmental consequences, (ii) the sensitivity of the population to the exposure, and (iii) the ability of affected systems and populations to adapt

33. The rebuilding and maintaining of public health infrastructure is often viewed as the“most important, cost- effective and urgently needed” adaptation strategy. This includes public health training, more effective surveillance and emergency response systems, and sustainable prevention and control programs.

34. Thank you.