Teaching Module: Climate Change, the Environment, and Human Health

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:

1. How would an increase in precipitation caused by climate change affect the environment and human health?
2. 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