BACKGROUND: Climate change is predicted to have increasing impacts on the public’s health, primarily at the local level. Effective adaptation to health impacts requires identification of priority health impacts and priority geographical vulnerabilities. To determine localities for adaptation efforts, Geographic Information Systems maps compiled data for heat-related illness and potential risk factors. Through engagement meetings with local stakeholders, seven different maps were created for a region of North Carolina known to have high rates of heat-related illness.
METHODS: Local stakeholders with expertise relevant to heat-related illness were invited to review a map of heat-related emergency department rates and develop potential layers for risk factors. Stakeholders represented non-profits, local governments, and local health care companies. The risk factors identified for Geographic Information Systems maps were identified through an anonymous polling technique at a regional meeting.
RESULTS: The local stakeholders identified 7 different risk factors for Geographic Information Systems maps of their region. Five of the risk factors were mapped from Census data. The risk factors that were identified were older age, labor intensive crops, mobile homes, employment in industry with high likelihood of heat exposure, poverty, diabetes, and obesity. Following creation of the risk factor maps, the local stakeholders used the maps to determine a vulnerability population for sub-county level climate change adaptation. Further, the maps were a powerful tool for discussion of vulnerabilities with local stakeholders. The stakeholders have attended 3 meetings on heat-related illness vulnerability in 6 months.
CONCLUSIONS: To implement effective climate change adaptation in North Carolina, the geographical specificity of vulnerability was needed. Geographical Information Systems maps pinpointed a regional vulnerability for focusing adaptation efforts. In addition, the maps were a powerful tool for discussion of vulnerabilities with local stakeholders. A wide variety of local stakeholders has now attended multiple meetings within a short time frame to discuss the maps. Geographical Information Systems maps were an effective tool for climate change adaptation work in North Carolina.