Estimation of Vulnerability and Health Adaptation of the Population to Climate Changes in the Arkhangelsk Region, Northwest Russia: The WHO Project

It is known, change of a climate influences significantly on the population health in the different territories of the world (WHO, 2005). Global climate models predict stronger effect of warming on all Arctic zone in comparison with any others territories of Northern hemisphere.

In the international studies are considered following health outcomes: morbidity and mortality from heat and heat-waves, air pollution, floods, windstorms and food insecurity; vector-borne diseases; waterborne and foodborne diarrhoeal diseases; and adverse health outcomes associated with stratospheric ozone depletion. Since January, 2009 in the Arkhangelsk region, including territory of Nenets Autonomous region (Northwest region of Russian Federation), the international project (under WHO leadership) “Estimation of vulnerability and health adaptation of the population to climate changes in the Arkhangelsk region” have started. Period of the project: from January, 01st 2009 - to December, 31st 2010.

This project according to WHO and UNEP recommendations includes following tasks: i) estimation of the climate changes, ii) estimation of the population health in connection with climate changes, iii) estimation of undertaken measures and development of contemporary actions on prevention and decrease the influence of climatic changes on the population health, iv) estimation of health care system availability to the given changes and its optimization.

Several working groups have been created: i) Connection of the temperature influences and mortality of the Arkhangelsk region population; ii) Climate and climate sensitive not infectious diseases in the Arkhangelsk region; iii) Climate and cancer in the Arkhangelsk region; iv) Climate and climate sensitive infectious diseases, including zoonotic disease; v) Influence of the climate warming on a conditions of the residing, traditional nature management and health of indigenous North group - Nenets Autonomous region; vi) Estimation of the climate changes.

As the result of work of the given project in region will be carried out the plan on optimization of work of system of public health services on preventive maintenance of the diseases sensitive to change of a climate among the population of northern territories.

As the result of work of the given project in region, the plan on optimization of health care work on preventive measures of the climate sensitive diseases among population of northern territories will be carried out.