Risk and Resilience: How Is the Health of Older Adults and Immigrant People Living in Canada Impacted by Climate- and Air Pollution-Related Exposures?

Mckenzie H Tilstra,Okan Bulut,Kyle Whitfield,Shelby S Yamamoto,Bernadette Quemerais,Jordana Salma,Sandra Campbell,Leigh Niwa,C Allyson Jones,Ishwar Tiwari,Charlene C Nielsen,Alvaro Osornio Vargas

doi:10.3390/ijerph182010575

Mckenzie H Tilstra, Okan Bulut + Show 10 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182010575

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Abstract

Background: In the rapidly shifting Canadian climate, an ageing population, and increased migration, a greater understanding of how local climate and air pollution hazards impact older adults and immigrant populations will be necessary for mitigating and adapting to adverse health impacts. Objectives: To explore the reported health impacts of climate change and air pollution exposures in older adults and immigrant people living in Canada, identify known factors influencing risk and resilience in these populations and gaps in the literature. Methods: We searched for research focused on older adults and immigrants living in Canada, published from 2010 onward, where the primary exposures were related to climate or air pollution. We extracted data on setting, exposures, health outcomes, and other relevant contextual factors. Results and Discussion: We identified 52 eligible studies, most focused in Ontario and Quebec. Older people in Canada experience health risks due to climate and air pollution exposures. The extent of the risk depends on multiple factors. We found little information about the climate- and air pollution-related health impacts experienced by immigrant communities. Conclusions: Further research about climate- and air pollution-related exposures, health, and which factors promote or reduce resiliency in Canada’s older adults and immigrant communities is necessary.

Highlights

We focused on climate- and air pollution-related exposures, including extreme temperatures, wildfires, icy conditions, and ambient air pollution
In the rapidly shifting Canadian climate [3] with an ageing population [11] and continued migration [12], we found that older adult health is at risk due to extreme weather, increasing temperatures, and air pollution
Relationships with musculoskeletal, mental health, renal, and ocular health impacts were only observed for meteorological exposures, and cancer, neurological disorders, and diabetes impacts were only observed for air pollution in older adults

Summary

Introduction

Climate change has been called “the defining issue” for public health in the. 21st century [1], and air pollution the single most significant environmental health risk by the WHO [2]. Health impacts of these exposures are felt intensely at a local scale, depending on the socioenvironmental context. Canada is warming two-fold faster than the global average [3], which is expected to amplify adverse health impacts via multidimensional exposure pathways, including changing weather patterns leading to extreme temperatures, drought, floods, and wildfires [3,4,5]. There is a well-established link between air pollution and adverse health outcomes.

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