Climate Change and Your Health

Air Pollution

Many people are facing a double whammy of air quality threats that will worsen with climate change:

• 7 counties have ragweed pollution; Maricopa County suffers from both unhealthy smog levels and ragweed.4
• Asthma sickens an estimated 161,000 kids and 463,000 adults.5
• Smoke pollution will compromise air quality as wildfires become more frequent.6

Protect your family from air pollution:

• Check news reports on the radio, TV, or online for pollen reports or daily air quality conditions. Or visit EPA's Air Now for air quality info and avoid outdoor activity on bad air days particularly for people with asthma or other respiratory diseases.
• After spending time outdoors, wash off pollen that may have collected on your face, skin, or hair.

Find out more about the effects of air pollution

Extreme Heat

• Several stations in south central Arizona reported average temperatures in summer 2010 that were among the 5 hottest ever recorded.7
• In Phoenix, the number of hours per summer day that the temperature exceeds 100°F has doubled in the last 50 years.8
• Heat-related deaths are the highest of any state -- at 3-7 times the national average.9

Protect your family from extreme heat:

• Limit exertion during heat waves and high temperature days, drink plenty of water and take cool showers or baths, and stay inside or in the shade.
• Check on elderly or at-risk friends or neighbors regularly -- or ask someone to look in on you if you feel vulnerable to heat.

Find out more about the effects of extreme heat

Infectious Diseases

• 19 cases of Dengue Fever were reported between 1995-2005, and 10 counties have a type of mosquito that can transmit the virus (as of 2005).10
• 1,061 cases of West Nile virus were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) between 1999-2010.11
• 66 cases of Lyme disease were reported to CDC between 1990-2008.12

Protect your family from infectious diseases:

• When planning international travel, check with the CDC's website for information on recent disease outbreaks and take appropriate precautions.
• During mosquito season at home, apply insect repellent with 20-30 percent DEET in the mornings and early evenings.

Find out more about the effects of infectious diseases

Drought

• Water levels dropped 2/3 in Lake Powell, a Colorado River reservoir, from 2000-2005. It's currently only half full.13
• About 93% of counties face higher risks of water shortages by mid-century, and some areas will likely see limitations on water availability as demand exceeds supply by 2050.14
• Dry conditions fuel out-of-control wildfires that could increase in western states 54% by 2050.15
• In 2002, the largest fires in the state's history burned through nearly 470,000 acres and cost $28 million.16

Protect your family from droughts:

• Visit EPA's WaterSense for tips on conserving water, such as replacing leaky pipes.
• The USDA and Cooperative Extension Service have resources to help farmers conserve water.

Find out more about the effects of drought

Flooding

• Warmer temperatures in the winters could cause more precipitation to fall as rain instead of snow in mountain regions -- raising stream flows and potential for floods.17
• Major disasters have been declared in the state 7 times since 2000, due to flooding and severe storms.18

Protect your family from floods and related illnesses:

• Familiarize yourself with your region's vulnerability to flooding and its local emergency evacuation plans.
• Prepare your own plan -- including where your family will stay in case of flooding and what you'll do if a relative is sickened by contaminated water.

Find out more about the effects of flooding

Extreme Weather

Arizona experienced in 2011:

• Record-breaking heat in 7 counties and a total of 20 broken heat records
• Record-breaking rainfall in 7 counties and a total of 19 broken rainfall records
• Record-breaking snow in 2 counties and a total of 5 broken snowfall records
• Extreme drought
• Record-breaking wildfires

Protect your family from extreme weather:

• Stay informed -- subscribe to local emergency alerts and watch for updates. Make sure to have a battery-powered radio or other device in the event you lose power.
• Stay connected -- check on relatives, friends and neighbors.
• Plan ahead -- have an evacuation plan and emergency supplies on hand. Click here for information on how to be aware and be prepared for a natural disaster. Also see the Red Cross, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), or the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) lists for what you need.

Find out more about the effects of extreme weather