Climate Change and the Health of People with Disabilities

People with disabilities are a broad and diverse community, and their needs differ depending on individual circumstances like their age or ability to live independently within their communities. In general, however, climate change-related health impacts may affect people with disabilities more than others. People with disabilities often face barriers in accessing healthcare services and in receiving timely public health or emergency information in an accessible format. Additionally, many people with disabilities experience high rates of social risk factors that contribute to poor health, such as poverty, unemployment, and lower education. For example, people with disabilities are twice as likely to be unemployed than those without disabilities. People with limited incomes may not be able to afford air conditioning in their home during heat waves, increasing their risk of heat stroke.