Solutions to address climate change and strengthen equity already exist.
By working for health and climate equity for our kids and focusing on where the need is the greatest, we can make our communities safer, more climate-resilient and equitable.
Health Professionals: Take Action
Our health, and our children’s health, is being directly and seriously impacted by extreme weather becoming more common and weather fluctuations becoming the new normal. These changes impact the spread of Lyme disease risk areas, asthma triggers and the risk of heat-related illness.
Addressing climate-related health impacts will require the action and support of health sector workers across Ontario.
We need your help to make sure families and communities have the information and tools they need to protect themselves and their families from the health impacts of climate change and the inequities that put them at greater risk.
Take Action
Download the kit below for resources you can use to take action and educate patients in your work and in your community.
Check out this video featuring Dr. Charles Gardner, Medical Officer of Health to learn more about how public health professionals can help to engage the public around the health benefits of climate action.
See why Registered Nurses at RNAO are getting involved in the Make It Better campaign and taking the pledge.
Elise Skinner BA, MScN, RN
Hilda Swirsky, RN, BScN, MEd
See why Public Health Inspectors/Environmental Public Health Professionals are getting involved in the Make It Better campaign and taking climate action for health.
Health and Climate Change – Opportunities for Public Health Inspectors
EXCERPT FROM THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE OF PUBLIC HEALTH INSPECTORS’ ONTARIO BRANCH NEWSLETTER WINTER 2020. PAGES 10-11
Through their work at local public health agencies, Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) are part of local teams conducting Climate Change & Health Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessments, developing Built Environment Strategies, and providing input on official plans and land-use planning proposals using a climate & health lens. PHIs share information with colleagues and the public on the health co-benefits of climate action (e.g. air quality, health equity, chronic disease prevention, etc.) and on health protective measures to reduce exposure to climate-sensitive infectious diseases (e.g. Lyme disease) and natural hazards (e.g. extreme heat, flooding, etc.).