Abstracts

Psychosocial Aspects of Climate Change: Building Community Adaptability and Resiliency through Integrated Health Planning and Program Development

David Hutton
Public Health Agency of Canada
dave_hutton@phac-aspc.gc.ca

This paper discusses the adaptive capacity of the health sector as it relates to psychosocial consequences of climate change in Canada. Historically, the social and psychological impacts of natural hazards and environmental disasters have been contextualized in terms of trauma and stress arising from sudden and damaging events. Research is now showing that the effects of extreme weather events are a function not only of the magnitude and scope of their physical impacts, but also the degree to which populations are made vulnerable as measured by such basic health determinants as age, gender, education, disability, and income status. This suggests that the psychosocial impacts of climate change may be more effectively mitigated through an integrated approach which merges principles and practices of emergency management, public health, and community development. This approach may not only facilitate a more robust and comprehensive health response to extreme weather events, but can promote psychosocial coping and resiliency at the community level. The Canadian National Framework for Health Emergency Management is discussed as one model to facilitate this process.

2005-04-05