October 14, 2022 | Originally published in Disabled World
By: Frank Samonte, MD
People with disabilities (PWD) ranging from physical to mental health issues are vulnerable to environmental perturbations. The emergence of climate change as an important environmental factor in health outcome- particularly in low-income communities where health care delivery system is often inadequate- has profound effect in these individuals. Recent events in 2022 (Hurricane Ian & Fiona, western and southern plains drought, extreme heat, etc.) revealed profound effects from climate change. Increase in air pollution and heat effect are some of the environmental stressors that will exacerbate the already inadequate health care infrastructure for this vulnerable population…READ THE FULL ARTICLE>
Francis Samonte, M.D., Ph.D., is an academic pediatric and adult neurologist/neuroscientist focusing on the intersection of cognitive-behavioral sciences and health policy & program initiatives. He is a 2022 Climate and Health Equity Fellow.