Climate and Health Resources:
LOUISIANA
v>EPA
United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Climate change poses risks to human health. Already in the United States, we are seeing rising
temperatures, increased frequency and intensity of some types of extreme weather, sea level rise, and
other changes in weather and climate patterns. We are all vulnerable to the health impacts associated
with climate change. However, these climate and health risks vary across the country.
In Louisiana, soils have become drier, annual rainfall has increased, and the sea level is rising. This and
other climate impacts mean increasing risks to health. Examples of risks and actions for Louisiana
residents include:
-	Intense hurricanes are becoming more common. Flooding associated with hurricanes (like
Hurricane Katrina) increases the risk of injury and disease. Learn how you can take action to
protect against floods, such as:
o Prepare Ask someone out-of-state to act as a "family contact" in case your family is
separated.
o Respond: Avoid driving or walking in or near flood waters, even after the flood or during
cleanup.
-	Warming temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico will increase the risk of ciguatera fish poisoning,
the most frequently reported fish poisoning. Learn how you can take action to ensure food
safety, such as:
o Prepare: Check for health department notices before fishing or harvesting shellfish,
o Respond: Keep seafood chilled to less than 38°F. Discard any perishable food if your
refrigerator has lost power for longer than four hours.
-	Sea level rise will increase the loss of tribal land, threatening traditional livelihoods and access
to food. Learn how you can take action to cope with post-disaster mental health impacts, such
as:
o Respond: Be aware of signs of withdrawal, depression, or other indications that
someone needs help. Contact the Disaster Distress Helpline for crisis support,
o Respond: Communicate openly to keep relationships healthy. Help children discuss their
feelings after a traumatic event.
Learn more in the USGCRP Climate and Health Assessment.
The examples of risks and actions provided in this document are not a comprehensive list. They
provide users with illustrative impacts and resources for further information. Examples were
selected based on relevance to the state or region and representation of a diversity of health
threats. Selection does not imply ranking of severity of impacts nor prioritization of actions. The
examples of impacts are based on "The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the
United States: A Scientific Assessment," available at https://health2016.globalchange.gov. as well
as the National Climate Assessment at http://nca2014.globalchange.gov/
June 2016

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RESOURCES FOR LOUISIANA RESIDENTS
Resource Topic
Information
Source
Climate Change
Impacts
Learn More: What Climate Change Means for
Louisiana
U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency

Learn More: National Climate Assessment:
Southeast
U.S. Global Change
Research Program. 2014.

Explore Actions: Resilient New Orleans
City of New Orleans,
Louisiana. August, 2015.

Find Resources: EPA Region 6 (South Central)
U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency
Public Health
Information
Find Resources: Louisiana Department of Health &
Hospitals
State of Louisiana

Find Resources: Louisiana Governor's Office of
Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness
State of Louisiana
June 2016

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