health-radio-header

Health Topics A-Z

3

5

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

Y

Z

Climate Change & Waterborne Illness

From the Show: Health Radio
Summary: What does climate change have to do with waterborne illnesses?
Air Date: 10/26/15
Duration: 10 Minutes
Guest Bio: Kim Knowlton, Senior Scientist, Natural Resources Defense Council
Kim Knowlton Dr. Kim Knowlton is Senior Scientist and Deputy Director of the Science Center at the Natural Resources Defense Council.

She is also assistant clinical professor of environmental health sciences at the Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University; and past chair of the Climate Change Topic Committee of the American Public Health Association's Environment Section.

She is co-convening lead author for the human health chapter of the U.S. Third National Climate Assessment; a member of the Second New York City Panel on Climate Change; and was among the researchers who participated in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's 2007 Fourth and 2013 Fifth Assessment Reports.
Climate Change & Waterborne Illness
Wherever you stand on the topic of global warming, it might be hard to deny the fact there's been a drastic rise in waterborne illnesses within the past few years, which is causing many doctors to believe this trend is an outcome of climate change.

Microorganisms, toxic contaminants, and biotoxins that are transmitted in contaminated waters cause waterborne illnesses.

According to the National Institutes of Health, changes in the ocean and coastal ecosystems, droughts, increased frequency of intense extreme weather events, and lack of water can cause health impacts of waterborne illness.

How else can climate change directly impact waterborne illnesses?

Listen in as Kim Knowlton, Senior Scientist of the Natural Resources Defense Council, shares how climate change and waterborne illnesses are connected.