Climate change and health effects in Northwest Alaska

Abstract

This article provides examples of adverse health effects, including weather-related injury, food insecurity, mental health issues, and water infrastructure damage, and the responses to these effects that are currently being applied in two Northwest Alaska communities.

Background

In Northwest Alaska, warming is resulting in a broad range of unusual weather and environmental conditions, including delayed freeze-up, earlier breakup, storm surge, coastal erosion, and thawing permafrost. These are just some of the climate impacts that are driving concerns about weather-related injury, the spread of disease, mental health issues, infrastructure damage, and food and water security. Local leaders are challenged to identify appropriate adaptation strategies to address climate impacts and related health effects.

Implementation process

The tribal health system is combining local observations, traditional knowledge, and western science to perform community-specific climate change health impact assessments. Local leaders are applying this information to develop adaptation responses.

Objective

The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium will describe relationships between climate impacts and health effects and provide examples of community-scaled adaptation actions currently being applied in Northwest Alaska.

Findings

Climate change is increasing vulnerability to injury, disease, mental stress, food insecurity, and water insecurity. Northwest communities are applying adaptation approaches that are both specific and appropriate.

Conclusion

The health impact assessment process is effective in raising awareness, encouraging discussion, engaging partners, and implementing adaptation planning. With community-specific information, local leaders are applying health protective adaptation measures.

• climate change
• health impact assessment
• health effects
• Arctic health

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the support provided by our colleagues at the Maniilaq Association, the Northwest Arctic Borough, the North Slope Borough, and the staff of the city and tribal governments in Point Hope, Kivalina, Noatak, and Kiana. We would also like to acknowledge the financial support received from the Indian Health Service (IHS) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the implementation of this program.