Climate and Health Resources:
United States
Mk | ^9 A. I A	Environmental Protection
ARIZONA
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.
Arizona has warmed about 2°F in the last century. This and other climate impacts mean increasing risks
to health. Examples of risks and actions for Arizona residents include:
-	Cases of valley fever, a fungal infection, have increased in the Southwest. Climate change and
drought may help spread this disease into new areas. Learn how you can take action to prevent
valley fever, such as:
o Prepare: Learn about valley fever's symptoms and risks.
o Prepare Talk to your doctor about antifungal treatment if diagnosed.
-	The Southwest is likely to face more frequent and intense droughts. Droughts limit the
availability and quality of drinking water. Navajo communities in Arizona already face a lack of
water for their households and farming. Learn how you can take action to protect against
droughts, such as:
o Prepare: Reduce water use. For example, use low-flow faucets.
o Prepare: Be aware that droughts may reduce the quality of drinking water from private
wells.
-	Large wildfires are occurring more often, and wildfire seasons are lasting longer. This increases
health risks such as smoke inhalation or burns. In 2013, the Yarnell Hill Fire killed 19 firefighters.
Learn how you can take action to protect against wildfires, such as:
o Prepare: Keep your air-conditioning filter clean, and close the unit's fresh air intake.
o Respond: Check local news and reports for information on air quality, visibility, and
evacuation orders.
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 ARIZONA RESIDENTS
Resource Topic
Information
Source
Climate Change
Impacts
Learn more: What Climate Change Means for
Arizona
U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency

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

Explore Actions: Preliminary Study of Climate
Adaptation for the Statewide Transportation System
in Arizona
Arizona Department of
Transportation. March
2013.

Explore Actions: City of Flagstaff, Arizona Resiliency
and Preparedness Study
City of Flagstaff.
September 2012.
Public Health
Information
Find Resources: Arizona Division of Emergency
Management
State of Arizona

Find Resources: Arizona Department of Health
Services
State of Arizona
June 2016

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