Human Health and Safety

Human health and safety—meaning mental and physical wellbeing and the ability to conduct life without risk of harm, respectively—are crucial for all New Yorkers. Health and safety are vital to individual well-being, strong communities, and a productive economy.

Climate hazards, including temperature, precipitation, sea level rise, and extreme weather events, pose risks to human health and safety in New York State. For example, more severe heat waves can lead to more heat-related illnesses, like heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Extreme weather, such as storms and floods, can cause physical injuries and mental health effects, including post-traumatic stress disorder. Hazards can also have indirect impacts, such as disrupted medical care. Climate change impacts on health and safety vary considerably across populations, geographies, mental health conditions, housing situations, and other factors.

This chapter explores direct climate impacts and indirect non-climate factors that pose threats to human health and safety across New York State. It discusses impacts and adaptation strategies by climate hazard and how vulnerability and equity issues commonly magnify impacts and hinder adaptive strategies. The chapter explores compounding, emerging, and cross-cutting issues as they connect to other sectors and shape community and public health sector engagement in adaptation planning. It also includes opportunities for positive change and areas of emerging research.