A teaching module to learn about the impacts of climate change on human health, and to discuss climate adaptation and mitigation measures that would reduce these health-related risks.
Students will apply systems thinking to learn about the changing climatic conditions on Earth; the effects of a changing climate on organisms and ecosystems, and the consequent impacts on the distribution and spread of climate-sensitive diseases. They will also discuss climate mitigation measures and climate adaptation actions that would benefit human health.
The topics in the module are Temperature-related Death and Illness; Air Quality Impacts; Extreme Events; Vector-Borne Diseases; Water-Related Illness; Food Safety, Nutrition, and Distribution; and Mental Health and Well-Being.
Use this tool to help your students find answers to:
- How would an increase in precipitation caused by climate change affect the environment and human health?
- For health problems arising from extreme heat (caused by climate change), identify the vulnerable populations. Describe a climate mitigation measure that would also address heat-related health problems.
About the Tool
Tool Name | Climate Change |A Human Health Perspective. A Student Exploration of the Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States |
Discipline | Social Sciences; Environmental Science |
Topic(s) in Discipline | Climate Change and Human Health; Temperature-related Death and Illness; Air Quality Impacts; Vector-Borne Diseases; Water-Related Illness; Food Safety; Mental Health and Well-Being |
Climate Topic | Climate and the Biosphere; Climate and Health; Climate and the Anthroposphere; Policies, Politics and Environmental Governance |
Type of Tool | Teaching Plan |
Grade Level | High school |
Location | North America |
USA | |
Language | English |
Translation | |
Developed by | Dana Brown Haine and Stefani Dawn |
Hosted at | National Instititute of Environmental Health Sciences |
Link | https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/assets/docs_a_e/climate_change_and_human_health_lesson_plan_a_508.pdf |
Access | Online/Offline |
Computer Skills | Basic |