The role of public health departments and practitioners in promoting health and wellbeing is long established, with the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion signed in 1986.
In addition to health promotion, public health systems are well positioned to help communities adapt to climate change, recognize the inequitably distributed impacts of climate change, and promote strategies that have health and environmental benefits.
Health Canada is also active in work on health system climate adaptation and resilience and co-chairs the ATACH Climate-Resilient Health Systems working group.
Berry, P., & Schnitter, R. (Eds.). (2022). Health of Canadians in a Changing Climate: Advancing our Knowledge for Action. Ottawa, ON: Government of Canada.
This webinar explores how poor air quality caused by wildfire smoke poses major health risks for individuals and communities. It explains that, with climate-related emergencies expected to worsen in the coming years, health care facilities will need to act quickly to disaster-proof life-saving infrastructure in order to protect vulnerable patients and the health care workforce. It highlights how smoke-related challenges often require essential structural and ventilation interventions. The video features the Canadian Coalition for Green Health Care, PEACH Health Ontario, and CASCADES hosting a webinar with Dr. Courtney Howard, who discusses the health impacts of smoke, and Abdel Darwich, who outlines strategies for smoke management in health care settings.
This webinar examines how wildfires threaten both the health of Canadians and the ability of health care facilities to provide care. It notes that last year’s wildfire season was the worst in Canadian history due to high drought conditions, low moisture levels, and high temperatures. The webinar explores how Interior Health in British Columbia dealt with wildfires and smoke during the previous season, what resiliency and adaptation planning they have implemented and are considering, and how Emergency Management teams coped on the ground. It highlights lessons learned that can help guide other health care organizations in preparing for future wildfires and smoke events.
This webinar explores how approximately 5% of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada come from the health care system and how climate change and extreme weather events are increasing the need for low-carbon, climate-resilient health care facilities. It features representatives from Health Care Without Harm (HCWH), CISSS of Laval, Synergie Santé Environnement (SSE), and the New St. Paul’s Hospital Project in Vancouver, who share strategies for emissions reduction, sustainability planning, and designing climate-resilient health infrastructure.
