Tracking Climate and Health in Vermont

Climate change is already impacting the health of Vermonters. As the state gets warmer and wetter, the impacts on health and property are increasing. The latest National Climate Assessment projects that average temperatures in Vermont will increase by 4°F, compared with recent conditions. In addition, the state will continue to experience more extreme storms.

Climate and health data can be used to track the impacts of climate change and to help communities respond. For example, data can be used to identify which parts of the state have higher rates of heat-related illness. This information can inform where cooling centers or other activities aimed at preventing heat-related illness should be located. 

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Extreme heat events — or heat waves — cause more deaths each year in the U.S. than hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes, floods and earthquakes combined.

Explore Climate and Health Data

The reports below are interactive, which means you can:

  • Click on the tabs and buttons to navigate within the reports.
  • Hover over or click on the graphs, tables and maps to learn more.
  • Make the display bigger by clicking the button below.

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The new Impacts of Excessive Heat on Health data brief summarizes the impacts of heat on health in Vermont. While a single hot day can cause heat-related illness, the risk of health impacts grows quickly with multiple hot days in a row. 

Resources
Cold-Related Illness Season Summary
https://www.healthvermont.gov/sites/default/files/document/env-epht-cold-relate…
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Cold-Related Illness Season Summary
Impacts of Excessive Heat on Health
https://www.healthvermont.gov/sites/default/files/document/env-epht-impacts-of-…
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Impacts of Excessive Heat on Health
Your Questions Answered
What is climate change?

Climate change is a long-term change in the typical weather conditions of a particular location. These changes could include warming, cooling or changes in the frequency and intensity of precipitation. 

How does climate change affect health?

The Climate and Health Program has identified a variety of ways in which climate change can affect human health in Vermont. These include effects from extreme heat, extreme weather events, tickborne and mosquito-borne diseases, cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) blooms, air quality and pollen issues, and waterborne and foodborne diseases.

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What climate-related data are included in the Vermont Tracking portal?

You can find state and county-level data on heat-related illness emergency department visits, hospitalizations and deaths in the Vermont Tracking portal. You can also find historic temperature data and other tools:

 

Explore More Vermont Health and Environmental Data Topics

Topics:
Climate Change | Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) | Tracking Portal
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