title: Six climate change-related events in the United States accounted for about $14 billion in lost lives and health costs.
abstract: The future health costs associated with predicted climate change-related events such as hurricanes, heat waves, and floods are projected to be enormous. This article estimates the health costs associated with six climate change-related events that struck the United States between 2000 and 2009. The six case studies came from categories of climate change-related events projected to worsen with continued global warming-ozone pollution, heat waves, hurricanes, infectious disease outbreaks, river flooding, and wildfires. We estimate that the health costs exceeded $14 billion, with 95 percent due to the value of lives lost prematurely. Actual health care costs were an estimated $740 million. This reflects more than 760,000 encounters with the health care system. Our analysis provides scientists and policy makers with a methodology to use in estimating future health costs related to climate change and highlights the growing need for public health preparedness.
authors: Health and Environment Program, Natural Resources Defense Council, New York City, NY, USA. kknowlton@nrdc.org
authors: Kim
authors: K
authors: Knowlton
authors: Miriam
authors: M
authors: Rotkin-Ellman
authors: Linda
authors: L
authors: Geballe
authors: Wendy
authors: W
authors: Max
authors: Gina M
authors: GM
authors: Solomon
mesh_terms: D057231:Climate Change; D016208:Databases, Factual; D004190:Disasters / Q000191:economics*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004787:Environmental Pollution; D005390:Fires; D055868:Floods; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000266:history*; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends*; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology