Climate Change and the Health of Canadians
Extreme Heat
Health Risks
- Heat exhaustion
- Heat stroke (medical emergency)
- Dehydration
- Heart attacks and strokes
- Kidney stress and kidney injury
- Worsening lung disease
- Increased deaths during prolonged heat waves
Most Vulnerable
- Seniors
- Infants and children
- Outdoor workers
- Athletes
- People with heart, lung or kidney disease
Wildfire Smoke & Poor Air Quality
Health Risks
- Difficulty breathing
- Asthma attacks
- Chronic bronchitis flare-ups
- COPD worsening
- Chest pain
- Eye, nose and throat irritation
- Increased risk of heart attack
- Reduced lung function
- Increased hospital admissions
Most Vulnerable
- Children
- Seniors
- Pregnant women
- People with asthma or heart disease
Flooding
Health Risks
- Drowning
- Injuries from debris
- Mold exposure
- Respiratory illness
- Water contamination
- Gastrointestinal infections
- Mental health impacts
- Displacement and stress
Most Vulnerable
- Families
- Seniors
- Children
- Emergency responders
Tick-Borne Diseases
As Canada’s climate warms, ticks are expanding into new areas.
Health Risks
- Lyme disease
- Anaplasmosis
- Babesiosis (rare in Canada but increasing)
- Other tick-borne infections
Possible Symptoms
- Fever
- Fatigue
- Joint pain
- Muscle pain
- Facial paralysis
- Neurological complications if untreated
Mosquito-Borne Diseases
Longer warm seasons allow mosquitoes to survive and breed over a larger area.
Health Concerns
- West Nile virus
- Eastern Equine Encephalitis (rare)
- Increased mosquito populations
- Greater exposure during warmer months
Water-Borne Diseases
Heavy rainfall and flooding can contaminate drinking and recreational water.
Possible Illnesses
- E. coli infections
- Giardia
- Cryptosporidium
- Gastroenteritis
- Skin infections
New Parasites & Infectious Diseases
Changing temperatures can allow organisms to survive in regions where they were previously uncommon.
Potential Concerns
- Expansion of parasite habitats
- Increased food- and water-borne infections
- Changing distribution of insect-borne diseases
- New public health challenges
Mental Health
Climate-related disasters can also affect emotional well-being.
Health Impacts
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Stress
- Post-traumatic stress after disasters
- Sleep disruption
- Social isolation
Food Security
Climate change affects agriculture across Canada.
Health Concerns
- Reduced crop yields
- Increased food prices
- Nutritional challenges
- Greater pressure on vulnerable families
Air Pollution and Allergies
Longer growing seasons can increase allergens.
Health Risks
- Longer pollen seasons
- More severe allergies
- Asthma attacks
- Reduced quality of life
Protecting the Health of Canadians
The Canada Climate Alliance aims to bring together Canadian businesses, organizations, governments and communities to:
- Support cleaner air
- Reduce climate-related health risks
- Improve public education
- Encourage emergency preparedness
- Support scientific research
- Protect vulnerable Canadians
- Build healthier and more resilient communities