I.

Introduction
A. Based on data from short-term climate variations, it is predicated that climate
change will affect women disproportionately in the long-term. Because of this, it
is essential that we consider gender when studying the effects of climate change
on human health in order to create effective climate policies.
II. An overview about the link between climate change and health and gender
A. Climate change can affect health directly (hazards from storms, heatwaves, and
floods) and indirectly (seasonal temperature rise, depleted or contaminated
resources, altered infectious disease patterns).
B. Both physiological and cultural/social differences make women more susceptible
to climate change related health impacts
C. Most data about this relationship is from short-term climate variability, however,
this data can still give us insight into the effects of climate change in the long
term.
III. Health impacts related to rising seasonal temperatures
A. Current data has shown that women generally experience disproportionate
heat-related mortality during heatwaves and extended periods of high
temperatures.
B. Explain how long term temperature rise may affect the spread of diseases
1. Explain why women are at a higher risk of contracting some of these
infectious diseases.
C. Heat can pose risks to pregnant women
D. Examine cultural factors that make women more susceptible to heat exposure in
certain communities (such as clothing requirements)
IV. Health impacts related to sea-level rise, flooding, and waterlogging (rise in groundwater)
A. Explain how sea-level rise could contribute to saline contamination in drinking
water
1. Pregnant women experience increased health risks from consuming water
with high salt concentrations
B. Waterlogging, flooding, and sea-level rise can spread contaminants that are
usually isolated (such as arsenic)
1. Examine how women’s social roles increase their exposure to waterlogged
areas
V. Health impacts of drought
A. Explain how climate change contributes to drought
B. In many countries, women are responsible for water collection. During periods of
water scarcity they have to spend more time searching for usable water.
C. Explain the negative health outcomes of traveling long distances
VI. Health impacts of natural disasters
 A. Generally women experience higher mortality directly from and in the aftermath
of natural disasters
B. Social roles and being homebound often place women at higher risk during
natural disasters
C. In many countries, women are not taught important survival skills (such as how to
swim)
D. It is not common for women to take the lead in an emergency
VII. Migration health impacts
A. Global warming related environmental changes are expected to increase human
migration
B. Migrating can be difficult for women because employment opportunities are
scarce in certain countries
1. Women either have to continue to live in dangerous environmental
conditions
2. If women migrate, they might have trouble securing income and this can
also negatively affect their health (decreased access to healthcare, not able
to secure essential items).
C. There is a need for data regarding women and migration. Women often undergo
short-term migration instead of traveling long distances and they are usually
excluded from migration analysis.
VIII. Solutions
A. Consider gender when studying climate-related health impacts and creating
climate change policies
B. Include women in policy making
C. Prioritize education regarding policy, disaster preparedness, and public health.
IX. Conclusion
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