Risk Perception, Health Communication, and Adaptation to the Health Impacts of Climate Change in Canada

Abstract

Climate change poses increasing risks to the health of Canadians, particularly those most vulnerable to the impacts. Effective adaptations are needed to help people safeguard their health and well-being. Governments and communities have an important role to play in protecting citizens from climate-related health risks. Individuals also have a central role in adapting to climate change. Information about the perceptions of climate-related health risks and current vulnerability to the impacts is limited, but this information is needed by public health and emergency management authorities to inform education and outreach programs to promote greater adaptation actions among Canadians. This case study reports on the results of a national survey that was conducted in spring 2008 to better understand how Canadians perceive risks to health from climate change. Canadians generally accept that the climate is changing and many are concerned about its impacts – 72% view climate change as at least a moderate risk to health, with 32% rating it as a major risk. However, few Canadians have knowledge of specific risks to health posed by climate change, and many are not responding to health messages encouraging them to take protective measures to reduce impacts from current climate-related hazards. Results of this case study suggest that greater efforts are needed to inform Canadians about specific health risks related to climate change and tailor messages to populations most vulnerable to the impacts, in order to facilitate the adoption of adaptive actions.