Ottawa residents could face more heat-related illness, cancers due to climate change: report

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Area residents will likely face an increased risk of a slew of health issues due to climate change, according to an Ottawa Public Health report.

The document, which will be discussed at the Ottawa Board of Health meeting on Monday, said potential health impacts include more heat-related illness, more vector-borne diseases, more respiratory harm due to wildfire smoke, more food and waterborne illness, and more skin and eye cancers.

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“Climate change is the greatest threat to human health of the 21st century, already affecting the health and well-being of many Canadians,” the report said. “Immediate reduction in greenhouse gas emissions is needed to reduce the rate of climate change so that adaptations to improve community resiliency are as effective as possible.”

Submitted by Ottawa Public Health’s medical officer of health Dr. Vera Etches, the report said five climate change health hazards were “identified from a local perspective as top health risks.” It said that Ontario Public Health requires health units to assess the health vulnerability status of their community and address health impacts in key areas related to climate change.

The five identified local hazards included extreme heat, vector-borne diseases, wildfire smoke, food and waterborne illnesses and ultraviolet radiation due to the thinning of the ozone layer.

The report said these hazards were identified through an internal expert working group using “Ottawa-specific climate projections data” and the Ontario Climate Change and Health Toolkit.

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“With the effects of climate change, Ottawa is expected to have four times as many hot days over 30°C by 2050 4 which increases the risk of heat-related illness and death,” the report said, noting that extreme heat events are linked to an increase in hospital visits and admissions.

It noted that warmer conditions can lead to the migration of new vectors, including insects like mosquitoes and ticks that can spread disease, and can increase the population expansion of existing ones. Changes in precipitation, temperature and extreme weather can also impact food and water safety, leading to “an increased risk of food- and waterborne illness.”

“Increased exposure to wildfire smoke and poor air quality in Ottawa is also expected, due to increased frequency, severity, and distribution of wildfires in North America,” the report said.

While climate change impacts on UVR due to thinning of the ozone layer are difficult to determine due to things like cloud cover and reflective snow and ice, the report said warmer seasons in Ottawa means that people may spend more time outdoors and in turn “increase their exposure to solar UVR and potentially raising cancer rates.”

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“It is estimated that a 2 C increase in temperature would lead to a 10 (per cent) increase of skin cancers annually,” the report said.

While all residents of Ottawa have to deal with risks associated with climate change, the report found that people aren’t equal in the face of the different hazards as “climate change compounds existing inequities.” It noted that factors like age, ethnicity, occupation and health status can also impact people’s ability to cope with the mental health effects of climate change.

“Climate change can provoke a range of emotional responses such as fear, anxiety and sadness which are compounded by health inequities,” the report said, noting that mental health messaging should be included in climate change and emergency preparedness planning.

Populations that were listed as disproportionally impacted by health impacts due to the five climate change health hazards include older adults (extreme heat), people who live in or near insect vector habitats (vector-borne diseases), people living with an existing illness or chronic health conditions (wildfire smoke), people experiencing homelessness (food and waterborne illnesses) and people with fair skin (ultraviolet radiation).

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The report said the City of Ottawa declared a climate emergency in 2019 and that OHS was working with the city on the development and early implementation of a Climate Resiliency Strategy. The final strategy and implementation plan, it said, is expected in 2025.

While many initiatives are already underway to “help minimize the negative health impacts of climate change,” the report said there is a need for OPH and the City of Ottawa to continue to work together alongside partners and residents.

It made several recommendations including working with partners to develop strategies and prepare for extreme heat events, responding to “increasing or new mosquito vectors driven by climate change” and promoting “equitable installation and use of UV protective measures in the community.”

In terms of dealing with extreme heat, it said that people experiencing homelessness face challenges in accessing cool spaces and potable drinking water due to stigma, restrictions and discrimination and that “increasing places to cool off in the community is a priority.”

“Adaptive strategies will help improve resilience to climate hazards and their associated impacts,” the report said. “However, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and our reliance on fossil fuels are crucial to preventing illness and deaths.”

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