Certain People are More Affected by Climate Change
Climate change affects everyone's health, but certain people are more affected than others.
In Vermont, people and communities most affected by climate change also experience health inequities. Examples of the groups that are disproportionately affected by the health impacts of climate change include:
- Low-income individuals and families
- Immigrants, especially those with undocumented status
- Outdoor workers, like farm workers and road crews
- Unhoused people
- Older adults
- People living alone
- People with existing health conditions, such as chronic diseases and mental health problems
- People living in floodplains
Some people are more exposed to climate-related health impacts. For example, people who work outside, are unhoused, live in floodplains, or live on the upper stories of buildings in urban areas experience greater health risks from flooding and heat.
Some people may have increased health risks due to age (for example, older adults, babies, and children), having a chronic or pre-existing medical condition, or taking certain medications.
Even people in good current health but lacking economic, social, or political resources may have less ability than others to reduce their risks, prevent impacts from happening, and recover from impacts when they do happen. For example, a home-bound older adult living alone may be especially at risk during a heat wave or extreme weather event. Learn more about how climate change affects health
Below are resources to help you learn more about how to identify and address affected populations. Learn more about environmental justice and public health.