A team of researchers at the University of British Columbia is launching a climate vulnerability index — a new resource that will map climate change-related health vulnerabilities and help local health authorities plan for them. The index, developed by researchers at the faculty of medicine, measures how communities in the Vancouver Coastal Health and Fraser Health regions are susceptible to the health effects of extreme heat, wildfire smoke, flooding and air pollution. According to a written statement, the index will be shared with the two health authorities, municipalities, and local First Nations so that they may quickly respond when climate-related health concerns arise. "The UBC research team collected more than 35 indicators and reviewed more than 280 epidemiological papers to create the vulnerability maps. "As we work together to respond, it will be vital to prioritize the populations who are more likely to experience climate-related health risks so that we don't worsen inequities," wrote Alex Choi, a Fraser Health medical health officer.

Source: CBC News September 05, 2020 20:41 UTC