The health units that oversee the Guelph Area and the Region of Waterloo are teaming up to study the health-related impacts of climate change.
The collaboration between Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health and the Region of Waterloo Public Health hopes to reduce the risks and strengthen resilience against current and future changes to the climate at a local level.
READ MORE: If the world keeps getting warmer, Toronto could feel like Washington, D.C., by 2050, says study
The health units will focus on addressing rising temperatures, extreme weather, diseases such as Lyme disease and West Nile Virus, along with food and water-borne illnesses and air pollution.
Get weekly health news
The study is also expected to make recommendations to decision-makers and stakeholders to help them respond to the impacts of climate change and raise awareness.
The three-year project is expected to involve a large amount of data collection and involve multiple community partners across all levels of government.
READ MORE: Premiers want to ensure local jurisdiction respected when it comes to climate change decisions
The two health units jointly applied for and received $300,000 from Health Canada for the study.
They will be working with ICLEI, a non-profit organization that works with local governments to achieve improvements in sustainability and resilience.
BELOW: Canadian doctors struggling to diagnose Lyme disease
Comments