health impacts of global environmental change

Question 1

comment on changes in distribution of global population

Answer 1

• africa = biggest change and by 2100 set to triple
• 2015 pop in asia = largest
• overall world population is expected to increase

Question 2

who are population predictions carried out by?

Answer 2

carried out by national governments and international organisations

Question 3

what has UN estimated about world population?

Answer 3

that it will be 9 billion by 2030

Question 4

describe changes in skin cancer cases from 2020-2060

Answer 4

-set to increase as risk becomes greater
sothern usa and floriada increase
band across central europe and asia

Question 5

what are the causes of ozone depletion?

Answer 5

caused by halogenated carbons such as CFS

Question 6

when does destruction of the ozone usually occur?

Answer 6

late winter and early spring

Question 7

what happens if the ozone becomes depleted?

Answer 7

then more UV rays will reach the earth which can have serious impacts upon humans

Question 8

what does extended exposure to UV have?

Answer 8

has harmful impacts upon human health including increased prevalence to skin cancers and cataract formation

Question 9

when was the hole in the ozone discovered?

Answer 9

in 1985 the hole in the ozone was discovered over the antarctic continent

Question 10

what is the Montreal protocol

Answer 10

banning CFCs responsible for

Question 11

where do cateracts usually occur? (distribution)

Answer 11

africa
middle east
some south american countries

Question 12

what is skin cancer caused by?

Answer 12

most skin cancers are caused by long term exposure to the sun or short periods of intense sun exposure and burning

Question 13

how much has malignant melanoma increased by?

Answer 13

since 1970’s incidence rates have increased 5x

Question 14

what are the risk factors to skin cancer?

Answer 14

• exposure to UV radiation
• outdoor workers e.g farmers builders
• being fair skinned
• age and family history
• if experienced radiotherapy

Question 15

where has the highest rates of skin cancer in UK?

Answer 15

south west and south east

Question 16

why does the south of UK have the highest skin cancer cases?

Answer 16

• higher temps
• increased UV radiation
• greater income

Question 17

where has the highest rates of skin cancer in world?

Answer 17

Australia

Question 18

why do australia have the highest skin cancer rates?

Answer 18

• light skinned population
• tropical latitude
• high levels of UV radiation
• cultural emphasis on outdoor activities

Question 19

australia skin cancer facts

Answer 19

2/3s of australians will be diagnosed by age 70
2000 die of skin cancer each year
4x more likely to develop it
cost australian healthcare system 512.3 million

Question 20

what are cataracts?

Answer 20

form of eye damage which cause a loss of transparency in the lens leading to cloudiness of vision and sometimes blindness

Question 21

what are cataracts caused by?

Answer 21

can be caused naturally by ageing or because of diabetes also smoke from burning fuelwood and cigarettes

Question 22

how does ozone depletion cause cataracts?

Answer 22

increased ozone depletion means anyone who spends a lot of time outdoors is at risk of eye problems from UV radiation

Question 23

what are the risk factors for cataracts?

Answer 23

geographical location- UV levels greater in tropical areas
Altitude- UV levels higher at greater altitude
time of day - UV levels greater at 10-2
setting - UV levels greater in open spaces

Question 24

how can you prevent UV risk?

Answer 24

wearing good quality sun glasses blocks harmful UV radiation

Question 25

what are the treatments for cataracts

Answer 25

only type of effective treatment is surgery to remove the cloudy lens and replace it

Question 26

who is mostly affected by cataracts?

Answer 26

those living in rural areas in the developing world ass they are less able to afford treatment and prevention

Question 27

what are the health impacts climate change has?

Answer 27

- increases in frequency and severity of storms - unhealthy air and pollutants - changes in temps could exacerbate the spread of disease - greater increases in infectious diseases following floods and storms

Question 28

how may global warming bring some benefits?

Answer 28

fewer winter deaths in temperate climates | increased food production in certain areas

Question 29

what are the health affects associated with global warming?

Answer 29

WHO estimate that between 2030 and 2050 there will be approximately 250,000 additonal deaths per yesr from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea and heat stress

Question 30

certain groups more vulnerable to others to climate change, who are these?

Answer 30

poorer people more vulnerable vulnerability depends on population density, level of economic development, food availability and availability of healthcare

Question 31

what is thermal stress (heatwaves, cold spells)

Answer 31

climate change will cause increased heat-related mortality and morbidity but decreased cold related mortality in temperate countries

Question 32

what are the main risks posed by a heat wave?

Answer 32

dehydration overheating heat exhaustion heat stroke

Question 33

heat waves can lead to other health risks...

Answer 33

``` smog growth of blue green algea in water courses odour, dust and vermin infestation wildfires water shortages ```

Question 34

where do heat waves have a bigger health impact?

Answer 34

much bigger health impact in cities than in suburban and rural areas

Question 35

cold spells

Answer 35

temperate countries e.g UK death rates can be 25% higher in winter climate change is set to bring milder winters in temperate regions leading to less winter deaths

Question 36

changing distribution of vector borne diseases

Answer 36

any change in temperature and precipitation from climate change will alter the geographical distribution of optimal conditions for vectors

Question 37

what are 3 examples of vector borne diseases?

Answer 37

- malaria and dengue - lyme disease - zika virus

Question 38

malria and dengue

Answer 38

diseases will spread in warmer world reaching further geographical areas. areas already with malaria will be hit most

Question 39

lyme disease

Answer 39

- most common vector borne disease in temperate climates - transmitted by the bite of infected deer ticks - associated with warmer weather and increased humidity

Question 40

zika virus

Answer 40

caused by bite of infected mosquito mainly found in africa pregnant women who contract are at risk of microcephally

Question 41

what are the direct impacts of climate change on agricultural productivity

Answer 41

- in mid and high latitudes crop yield expected to increase - crops grown in lower latitudes could become more viable - large gains in russia due to longer pplanting season and more favourable conditions

Question 42

what do rising temps cause to agricultural productivity?

Answer 42

increase evaporation rates causing salinisation of soils and soils dry out making them vulnerable to desertification reducing yields

Question 43

what are the indirect impacts of climate change on agriculture?

Answer 43

pests and insects - more and more widespread sea level rises- may lead to flooding of crops in low lying areas changes in water availability

Question 44

the impacts of climate change on food production

Answer 44

will have uncertain and varying consequences for human health and nutrition

Question 45

how will climate change affect developed regions nutritional standards

Answer 45

-increased prices may lower nutritional quality of food which may exacerbate obesity

Question 46

how will climate change affect developing regions nutritional standards

Answer 46

nations experiencing rapid economic growth may shoft to more western diets

Question 47

how will climate change affect the least developed regions nutritional standards

Answer 47

- most vulnerable | - climate change has given a combination of heavy rainfall and droughts which has led to crop failure