|
Climate impact to health - summer edition
Julia Field, MICHAP Program Manager
What does climate change mean for summer in Michigan? Since the 1950s, Michigan’s annual average temperatures increased by 2.6°F and annual precipitation increased by 15% (NOAA 2014). Summer months are projected to continue getting warmer and more humid while precipitation is expected to stay about the same but come in fewer, heavier downpours. These changing conditions will contribute to increased chances for drought and flood risks within the summer months.
The Michigan Climate and Health Adaptation Program (MICHAP) supports a climate-resilient public health system by providing technical assistance, creating health education materials, and working with partners to strengthen emergency preparedness across Michigan.
Health and safety messages to share with your community:
-
High heat and humidity can cause heat-related illness. Severe heat-related illnesses are heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
-
How to prepare: Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, check out this fact sheet for more information. Limit your time in the heat and avoid direct sunlight. Watch the forecast. Early in the season, give yourself time to adjust to the hot weather.
-
Air quality can be worse when temperatures are hot by contributing to low level ozone and creating conditions for wildfires that increase risk for breathing fine particles like PM 2.5. If you have respiratory illnesses like asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema, poor air quality can make your symptoms worse. (CDC 2022)
-
How to prepare: The EPA Air Quality Index tells you when air pollution is likely to reach levels that could be harmful. Adjust your outdoor activities if the air quality index is poor. Check out the MDHHS “Your Health and Wildfire Smoke” webpage for more information on wildfire smoke-related air quality issues.
-
Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) can occur in lakes, rivers or ponds when water temperature is warm and there is a high level of nutrients. Some of the health effects associated with exposure to a HAB are skin irritation, runny eyes, difficulty breathing, stomach pain, dizziness, and headaches. (EGLE 2023)
-
Ticks and mosquitoes can carry pathogens and transmit viruses. Climate change is creating favorable conditions for ticks and mosquitoes, increasing their population and geographic spread.
-
How to prepare: Prevent mosquito and tick bites when outdoors by wearing long sleeves, pants, and using insect repellents (repellent with 20% DEET, picaridin, or IR3535 is advised to ward off ticks). (CDC 2020)
Statewide climate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions:
MICHAP supports Governor Whitmer’s efforts to reduce or eliminate Michigan’s contributions to climate change, known as climate mitigation actions. Climate mitigation can be viewed as a primary prevention public health strategy to limit the worst effects of climate change. In September 2020, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Directive 2020-10, which committed Michigan to achieve economy-wide carbon neutrality no later than 2050 and then maintain net-negative greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). For more information on how Michigan is planning to achieve those goals you can check out the MI Healthy Climate Plan lead by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE).
|
|
Sesquicentennial
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is excited to recognize 150 years of public health in Michigan! The first department of public health in the state was established in July of 1873. A public health system serves which to protect residents from unsafe conditions, prevent disease and promote good health. For a timeline highlighting key milestones, visit https://bit.ly/3O8b4cm or follow MDHHS on social media.
MDHHS, local partners begin testing wastewater for poliovirus in Oakland County
After the detection of a paralytic polio case in New York in 2022, MDHHS began working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to identify communities where there may be potential risk for polio transmission. This is determined by combining information on low vaccination coverage and history of vaccine preventable disease outbreaks.
|
|
History of polio vaccination
Abstract
Poliomyelitis is an acute paralytic disease caused by three poliovirus (PV) serotypes. Less than 1% of PV infections result in acute flaccid paralysis. The disease was controlled using the formalin-inactivated Salk polio vaccine (IPV) and the Sabin oral polio vaccine (OPV). Global poliomyelitis eradication was proposed in 1988 by the World Health Organization to its member states. The strategic plan established the activities required for polio eradication, certification for regions, OPV cessation phase and post-OPV phase. OPV is the vaccine of choice for the poliomyelitis eradication program because it induces both a systemic and mucosal immune response. The major risks of OPV vaccination are the appearance of Vaccine-Associated Paralytic Poliomyelitis cases (VAPP) and the emergence of Vaccine Derived Polioviruses strains. The supplementary immunization with monovalent strains of OPV type 1 or type 3 or with a new bivalent oral polio vaccine bOPV (containing type 1 and type 3 PV) has been introduced in those regions where the virus has been difficult to control. Most countries have switched the schedule of vaccination by using IPV instead of OPV because it poses no risk of vaccine-related disease. Until 2008, poliomyelitis was controlled in Romania, an Eastern European country, predominantly using OPV. The alternative vaccination schedule (IPV/OPV) was implemented starting in September 2008, while beginning in 2009, the vaccination was IPV only. The risk of VAPP will disappear worldwide with the cessation of use of OPV. The immunization for polio must be maintained for at least 5 to 10 years using IPV.
|
|
|
There are several resources designed to help health care professionals recommend and administer IPV vaccine, as well as answer patient questions:
GPEI Tools, Protocols and Guidelines
The global effort to eradicate polio has been one of the largest public health initiatives in history. The Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) is composed of a large workforce of frontline vaccinators, technical and program staff in all corners of the world. To eradicate polio, we must utilize lessons learnt, best practice, and new research to reach and vaccinate every child.
|
MI-POST webinars
These webinars cover background information physician orders for scope of treatment and applying Michigan's physician orders for scope of treatment in the prehospital setting. It is important that everyone keep up to date on these orders. The Division of EMS and Systems of Care Director, Emily Bergquist, delivered these webinars to help EMS understand what they are, and when they can be used.
MI-POST Session 1:
What it is and when it is utilized?
1 EMS credit – Preparatory
Course ID 1111926
MI-POST Session 2:
Scenarios with legal papers involved.
1 EMS credit – Preparatory
Course ID 1111927
Communicable and Infectious Diseases webinar
EMS Regional Coordinators, Amanda Biliti, and Terrie Godde recorded a Communicable and Infectious Disease webinar. The webinar covers specific information regarding many infectious and communicable diseases, including Candida auris, which is a rapidly growing problem in our state.
1 EMS credit – Preparatory
Course ID 1111942
|
|
|
The Guardian of Public Health is a monthly newsletter from the Bureau of Emergency Preparedness, EMS and Systems of Care (BEPESoC), within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The Guardian aims to provide readers with relevant content on topics that affect the public health of Michigan's citizens and communities.
|
|
|
This publication was supported by Cooperative Agreement number 1NU90TP922062-01-00, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Department of Health and Human Services.
Bureau of Emergency Preparedness, EMS and Systems of Care | 1001 Terminal Rd, Lansing, MI 48906 | 517-335-8150
|
|
|
|
|
