Wildfire smoke affects health
This article, by Margaret Woods, retired family physician, member of the Thunder Bay Climate Transition Collaborative and Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE), was originally published in the Chronicle Journal on July 27, 2024.
As a family physician, I am acutely aware of the dangers of wildfire smoke and the growing public health concerns of climate hange. The World Health Organization declared climate change "the greatest threat to gloabal health" and NOrther Ontario is no exception.
The Guide to Integrating Planetary Health in Family Medicine Training (202) notes: "Rising temperatrue in Canada are causing increasing floods, droughts, heatwaves and wildfires."
"Climate Change and Health in Northern Ontario" (2022), from North West Health Units notes: "There is wide consensus among health professionals that climate change is resulting in substantial negative health impacts that will worsen in the absence of significant action."
CLICK HERE to read the complete article.
Links:
Environment Canada: Ontario Air qulaity Health Index Summary
Environment Canada: Thunder Bay Air Quality Health Index
Environment Canada: Guide to Air Quality Health Index
Climate Change and Health in Northern Ontario (2022)
Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE)