A climate of concern : Climate change and health strategy for Toronto 2015

A Climate of Concern: Climate Change and Health Strategy for Toronto identifies specific actions and sets out a direction to better understand and respond to the health effects of climate change. [...] In Ontario, the signal of a renewed focus on the issue came with the renaming of the Ministry of the Environment as the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MOECC). [...] The following principles will be considered when implementing the strategy in order to ensure a consistent approach to better understanding and responding to the issue areas: •. The principles, priorities and actions outlined in TPH’s current Strategic Plan: A Healthy City for All •. Utilize best practice, evidence, and science to understand and respond to the direct and indirect health effects of [...] Source: City of Toronto 8 Toronto Public Health A Climate of Concern: Climate Change and Health Strategy for Toronto 4. Air Quality and Climate Change The strategy will inform a research effort to better understand and prepare for the effects of climate change on air pollution, asthma and seasonal allergies. [...] Actions include: •. Examine the use of the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) in communicating health risks during mass gatherings to enhance TPH’s response to poor air quality events •. Support ongoing analysis to assess the health burden of air pollution •. Investigate the impact of climate change on the current and projected health burden of asthma and allergies associated with pollen Graph depict