Climate Change and Your Health

Air Pollution

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

• 17 counties have ragweed pollution and four counties have unhealthy smog levels; Oklahoma and Comanche counties suffer from both.2
• Asthma sickens an estimated 85,300 kids and 242,700 adults.3

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

• The frequency of very hot days will increase; 6 counties saw record-breaking nighttime temperatures in the summer of 2010.4
• A heat wave in 2006 was blamed for 7 deaths after temperatures topped 100°F (32°C).
• Summer temperatures could rise 6-10°F (3-5°C) by late century.5

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

• 3 cases of Dengue Fever were reported between 1995-2005.6
• 327 cases of West Nile virus were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) between 1999-2010.7
• 365 cases of Lyme disease were reported to CDC between 1990-2008.8

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

• Temperature increases could cause precipitation to drop 5-15%, increasing the likelihood of drought.9
• About 91% of the state's counties now face higher risks of water shortages by mid-century as the result of climate change.10
• Parts of the state are likely to see limitations on water availability as demand exceeds supply by 2050.11

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

• Heavy rains are expected to be more frequent across the region, which could increase the chance of disastrous flooding.12
• The state has been declared a disaster area 18 times since 2000, due to storms and flooding that cost millions of dollars in damages.13

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

Oklahoma experienced in 2011:

• Record-breaking heat in 21 counties and a total of 50 broken heat records
• Record-breaking rainfall in 17 counties and a total of 23 broken rainfall records
• Record-breaking snow in 19 counties and a total of 22 broken snowfall records
• Extreme drought

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