Climate and Health Resources:
ALABAMA
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 Alabama, sea levels are rising one inch every eight years. This and other climate impacts mean
increasing risks to health. Examples of risks and actions for Alabama residents include:
-	Higher temperatures and other weather changes will increase levels of ozone pollution (a
component of smog), increasing health risks like asthma-related hospital visits. Learn how you
can take actions to protect against poor air quality, such as:
o Prepare: Check news or airnow.gov for the local air quality index,
o Respond: Reduce outdoor activity when pollution levels are high.
-	More intense hurricanes can disrupt infrastructure (damage to roads, bridges, or utilities),
which can prevent access to health care. Learn how you can take actions to manage
infrastructure disruptions, such as:
o Prepare: Check the news for tap water safety notices, such boiling water before use.
o Respond: Keep power generators outside to avoid fire and carbon monoxide risks.
-	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 perishable food if your
refrigerator has lost power for longer than four hours.
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. The
examples provide users with illustrative impacts and resources for further information. Example
selection decisions were 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 ALABAMA RESIDENTS
Resource Topic
Information
Source
Climate Change
Impacts
Learn more: What Climate Change Means for
Alabama
U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency

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

Find Resources: EPA Region 4 (Southeast)
U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency
Public Health
Information
Find Resources: Alabama Department of Public
Health
State of Alabama

Find Resources: Alabama Emergency Management
Agency
State of Alabama
June 2016

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