Factsheet: Preparing for Climate Change in our Communities

This factsheet from the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment provides guidance for health professionals on mitigating the health impacts of climate change in Canadian communities. It outlines specific climate-related risks—including extreme temperatures, flooding, wildfires, food insecurity, vector-borne diseases, and water quality issues—and offers actionable tips for clinicians to protect vulnerable patients and advocate for community-level adaptation measures.

• Climate change increases the frequency and severity of extreme heat and cold in Canada, necessitating specific public health responses. Heat adaptation includes educating the public, monitoring high-risk groups like the elderly, providing air-conditioned spaces, and implementing urban cooling measures such as green roofs and increased green spaces. Cold weather adaptation focuses on services for the homeless to prevent hypothermia and frostbite, and public education regarding cardiovascular-related mortality risks.
• Flooding and wildfires present significant health risks in Canada, including immediate injury, respiratory issues, and mental health challenges. Flood-related health impacts include respiratory illness from mould in damaged homes and contamination of drinking water. Adaptation strategies involve prohibiting development in floodways and providing mental health support. Wildfire risks are driven by heat and drought, with adaptation focusing on avoiding high-risk building locations and managing the health impacts of smoke.
• Climate change threatens food security and increases the prevalence of vector-borne and water-borne diseases in Canada. Food systems are vulnerable to drought, flooding, and heat, which can reduce food availability; adaptation includes supporting urban farming and community gardens. Vector-borne diseases of concern include Lyme disease and West Nile virus. Water quality is threatened by contamination from storms, floods, and cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), requiring the implementation of stormwater management plans and boil water advisories.
• Health professionals are positioned as leaders in building community resiliency against climate shocks. They are encouraged to educate patients on risks, connect vulnerable populations (such as the under-housed or those with cardiovascular disease) to emergency services, and advocate for local policies that improve food security and water management.

APA

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (n.d.). Factsheet: Preparing for Climate Change in our Communities. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Module-7-FACTSHEET-READY-TO-UPLOAD.pdf#new_tab

Chicago

Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment. Factsheet: Preparing for Climate Change in our Communities. n.d. https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Module-7-FACTSHEET-READY-TO-UPLOAD.pdf#new_tab.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment |title=Factsheet: Preparing for Climate Change in our Communities |url=https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Module-7-FACTSHEET-READY-TO-UPLOAD.pdf#new_tab |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{canadianassociationofphysiciansfortheenvironmentndfactsheet, author = {{Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}}, title = {{Factsheet: Preparing for Climate Change in our Communities}}, institution = {Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment}, url = {https://cape.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Module-7-FACTSHEET-READY-TO-UPLOAD.pdf#new_tab}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }