Your Health and a Changing Climate: Newsletter - Volume 1

International Research Projects

Food Diversity, Biodiversity and Health Impacts of Short- and Long-Term Changes in Precipitation.

Abdel Maarouf of Environment Canada, member of the Vector-borne and Zoonotic Dieseases Research Network, is working with other researchers from York University and Mexico in an ongoing research project with initial funding from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). The team's research is focused on patterns of drought and flood conditions over the entire North American continent. The first phase is based on precipitation records collected from 7,000 sites in Mexico from the mid-1800s to the present. Their results show that drought/wet zones do not correspond to traditional climate zones. The intent is to study the relationship of drought/wet periods to changes in agricultural production and food security, changes in human health-insect transmitted diseases such as malaria and dengue fever -- and changes in biodiversity.

>>> For more information, contact: abdel.maarouf@ec.gc.ca

The Lung Associations' International Centre for Air Quality and Health

This International Centre is a partnership of Lung Associations in eastern Canada and New England and aims to promote timely and significant actions that lead to the reduction in air pollutants and the improvement of human health within this airshed. Activities include: collecting, organizing, and interpreting data and by coordinating research that addresses data gaps; improving informational linkages between all sectors dealing with air quality and human health; developing policy recommendations; encouraging community based studies and initiatives; promoting actions to reduce pollution and reduce the impacts of it

>>> For more information, visit: www.can-us-airhealth.org