title: Assessment of human health vulnerability to climate variability and change in Cuba.
abstract: In this study we assessed the potential effects of climate variability and change on population health in Cuba. We describe the climate of Cuba as well as the patterns of climate-sensitive diseases of primary concern, particularly dengue fever. Analyses of the associations between climatic anomalies and disease patterns highlight current vulnerability to climate variability. We describe current adaptations, including the application of climate predictions to prevent disease outbreaks. Finally, we present the potential economic costs associated with future impacts due to climate change. The tools used in this study can be useful in the development of appropriate and effective adaptation options to address the increased climate variability associated with climate change.
authors.affiliation: Climate Center, Institute of Meteorology, Havana, Cuba. paulo@met.inf.cu
authors.forename: Paulo Lázaro Ortíz
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Bultó
authors.forename: Antonio Pérez
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.forename: Alina Rivero
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Valencia
authors.forename: Nicolás León
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Vega
authors.forename: Manuel Díaz
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
authors.forename: Alina Pérez
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Carrera
mesh_terms: D002980:Climate; D003462:Cuba / Q000453:epidemiology; D003715:Dengue / Q000453:epidemiology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004782:Environmental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D011634:Public Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends; D018570:Risk Assessment / Q000379:methods*