Climate and Health Resources:
ALASKA
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.
Alaska has warmed twice as fast as the rest of the nation. This and other climate impacts mean
increasing risks to health. Examples of risks and actions for Alaskans include:
-	Permafrost (soil that stays frozen all year) will thaw, and resulting runoff may pollute food and
drinking water sources. Learn how you can take actions to ensure drinking water safety, such as:
o Prepare: Have an emergency water supply ready for your family (1 gallon per
person/pet per day).
o Prepare: Check the news for tap water safety notices, such as boiling water before use.
-	Increasing levels of harmful algae and bacteria in coastal waters may make eating fish and
shellfish less safe. These contaminants cause infections or stomach illnesses. Learn how you can
take actions 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
- Large wildfires are occurring more often, and wildfire seasons are lasting longer. This increases
health risks such as those related to smoke inhalation and evacuations. Learn how you can take
actions to protect against wildfires, such as:
o Prepare Follow your doctor's instructions for managing existing lung diseases and
medicines.
o Respond: Check local news and reports for information on air quality, visibility, and
evacuation orders.
Learn more about climate impacts on health 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/
refrigerator has lost power for longer than four hours.
June 2016

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RESOURCES FOR ALASKANS
Resource Topic
Information
Source
Climate Change
Impacts
Learn more: What Climate Change Means for Alaska
U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency

Learn more: National Climate Assessment: Alaska
U.S. Global Change
Research Program. 2014.

Explore Actions: Alaska's Climate Change Strategy:
Addressing Impacts in Alaska, 2010 (Includes Health
Concerns for: Coastal Flooding, Extreme Heat,
Wildfire)
State of Alaska

Explore Actions: Citv of Homer, Alaska Climate
Action Plan
City of Homer. 2007.

Find Resources: EPA Region 10 (Pacific Northwest)
U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency
Public Health
Information
Find Resources: Alaska Department of Health and
Social Services
State of Alaska

Find Resources: Contact the Division of Public
Health
State of Alaska

Find Resources: Find vour Alaska Public Health
Center for help on contaminated water and other
disrupted infrastructure
State of Alaska

Find Resources: Alaska Division of Homeland
Security and Emergency Management
State of Alaska
Climate and Health
Resources
Explore Actions: Climate Change in Alaska.
Adaptation Advisory Group. Appendix H: Health and
Culture Technical Work Group Recommended
Adaptation Options
State of Alaska. January
2010.

Explore Actions: Climate Change in Alaska.
Adaptation Advisory Group. Chapter 7. Health and
Culture
State of Alaska. January
2010.
June 2016

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