Skip Navigation
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences

Use this QR code to view the newest version of this document
Use this QR code to view the newest version of this document

Your Environment. Your Health.

Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal Protecting health from climate change: Preparedness of medical interns

Climate Change and Human Health Literature Portal

Author(s):
Majra JP, Acharya D
Year:
2009
Journal:
Indian Journal of Community Medicine : Official Publication of Indian Association of Preventive & Social Medicine. 34 (4): 317-320
Abstract:

CONTEXT: Climate change is a significant and emerging threat to public health and to meet the challenge, health systems require qualified staff. AIMS: To study the preparedness of medical interns to meet the challenge of protecting health from climate change. SETTINGS and DESIGN: Medical colleges in a coastal town. Cross-sectional study. MATERIALS and METHODS: A proportionate number of medical interns from five medical colleges were included in the study. Level of awareness was used as a criterion to judge the preparedness. A self-administered, pretested, open-ended questionnaire was used. Responses were evaluated and graded. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Proportions, percentage, Chi-test. RESULTS: About 90% of the medical interns were aware of the climate change and human activities that were playing a major role. Ninety-four percent were aware of the direct health impacts due to higher temperature and depletion in ozone concentration, and about 78% of the respondents were aware about the change in frequency / distribution of vector-borne diseases, water borne / related diseases, malnutrition, and health impact of population displacement. Knowledge regarding health protection was limited to mitigation of climate change and training / education. Options like adaptation, establishing / strengthening climate and disease surveillance systems, and health action in emergency were known to only nine (7%), eight (6%), and 17 (13%), respectively. Collegewise difference was statistically insignificant. Extra / co-curricular activities were the major source of knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: Majority of medical interns were aware of the causes and health impacts of climate change, but their knowledge regarding health protection measures was limited.

Expand Abstract

Resource Description

Exposure What is this?

weather or climate related pathway by which climate change affects health

    Ecosystem Change, Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster, Food Security, Human Conflict/Displacement, Precipitation, Sea Level Rise, Solar Radiation, Temperature, Water Quality
    • Ecosystem Change, Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster, Food Security, Human Conflict/Displacement, Precipitation, Sea Level Rise, Solar Radiation, Temperature, Water Quality: Drought, Flood, Hurricane, Wildfire
    • Ecosystem Change, Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster, Food Security, Human Conflict/Displacement, Precipitation, Sea Level Rise, Solar Radiation, Temperature, Water Quality: Cold, Heat, Variability
    • Ecosystem Change, Extreme Weather-Related Event or Disaster, Food Security, Human Conflict/Displacement, Precipitation, Sea Level Rise, Solar Radiation, Temperature, Water Quality: Marine/Freshwater Pathogen
Geographic Feature What is this?

resource focuses on specific type of geography

    Ocean/Coastal
Geographic Location What is this?

resource focuses on specific location

    Non-United States
    • Non-United States: Asia
Health Impact What is this?

specification of health effect or disease related to climate change exposure

    Cancer, Cardiovascular Impact, Infectious Disease, Morbidity/Mortality, Respiratory Impact
    • Cancer, Cardiovascular Impact, Infectious Disease, Morbidity/Mortality, Respiratory Impact: Vectorborne Disease, Waterborne Disease, Zoonotic Disease
      • Vectorborne Disease, Waterborne Disease, Zoonotic Disease: General Vectorborne Disease, Mosquito-borne Disease, Tick-borne Disease
        • General Vectorborne Disease, Mosquito-borne Disease, Tick-borne Disease: Malaria
        • General Vectorborne Disease, Mosquito-borne Disease, Tick-borne Disease: Lyme Disease, Tick-borne Encephalitis
        Mosquito-borne DiseaseTick-borne Disease
      • Vectorborne Disease, Waterborne Disease, Zoonotic Disease: Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, Tularemia, Other Zoonotic Disease, Specify
        • Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, Tularemia, Other Zoonotic Disease, Specify: Viral hemorrhagic diseases
        Zoonotic Disease (other)
      • Vectorborne Disease, Waterborne Disease, Zoonotic Disease: General Waterborne Disease, Diarrheal Disease, Unspecified
      Vectorborne DiseaseZoonotic DiseaseWaterborne Disease
Resource Type What is this?

format or standard characteristic of resource

    Research Article
Special Topic What is this?

related topics that intersect with those captured in other filters

    Adaptation, Communication, Health Sector Influence, Mitigation , Vulnerable Population
    • Adaptation, Communication, Health Sector Influence, Mitigation , Vulnerable Population: Adaptation Co-Benefit/Co-Harm
    • Adaptation, Communication, Health Sector Influence, Mitigation , Vulnerable Population: Other communication Audience, Specify
    • Adaptation, Communication, Health Sector Influence, Mitigation , Vulnerable Population: Mitigation Co-Benefit/Co-Harm
    • Adaptation, Communication, Health Sector Influence, Mitigation , Vulnerable Population: Children, Elderly
Back
to Top