The EPA on Thursday released a report that discusses the potential impacts of climate change on human health, human welfare and communities in the U.S. The report, entitled Analyses of the Effects of Global Change on Human Health and Welfare and Human Systems," also identifies adaptation strategies to help respond to the challenges of a changing climate and identifies near- and long-term research goals for addressing data and knowledge gaps.

The report discusses the challenges and potential effects of climate change, including unusual or unexpected weather, and how some individuals and communities may be disproportionately affected by climate change, including the elderly, the poor, children and people with chronic medical conditions.

The Global Change Research Program in the agency’s Office of Research and Development led the development of this report. It is one of 21 synthesis and assessment products commissioned by the U.S. Climate Change Science Program, which released its own, comprehensive report in June.

The EPA said the new peer-reviewed report is a more up-to-date synthesis and assessment of scientific literature on the impact of global change on human health, welfare and settlements in the United States.

Links

• Read the report