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Walker DM, Swoboda CM, Garman AN, DePUCCIO MJ, Mayers E, Sinclair A, McALEARNEY AS. Does Climate Change Affect Health? Beliefs from the Health Information National Trends Survey. JOURNAL OF HEALTH COMMUNICATION 2024; 29:11-17. [PMID: 38809135 DOI: 10.1080/10810730.2024.2360023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
Climate change is currently and will continue impacting human health, however, beliefs about the level of threat vary by demographics, region, and ideology. The purpose of this study was to assess factors related to climate change and health beliefs using cross-sectional data from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). Data from 5,075 respondents in the 2022 iteration of HINTS was used for this study. Chi-square tests were used to evaluate demographic differences among those who believe climate change will harm health a lot compared to some, a little, or not at all. Generalized ordinal logistic regression models were used to examine the relationship between the belief that climate change will harm health and independent variables regarding trust in scientists, health recommendations from experts, and demographic characteristics. Female, Black, Hispanic, and college graduate respondents had higher odds and people in the Southern U.S. those aged 35-49, 50-64, and 75years or older had significantly lower odds of believing climate change would harm their health. Those who trust information about cancer from scientists and those that believe health recommendations from experts conflict or change had higher odds of believing climate change would harm health. Our analysis highlights factors that impact climate change and health beliefs, which may provide targets for tailoring public health messages to address this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel M Walker
- The Center for the Advancement of Team Science, Analytics, and Systems Thinking in Health Services and Implementation Science Research (CATALYST), College of Medicine, The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Christine M Swoboda
- The Center for the Advancement of Team Science, Analytics, and Systems Thinking in Health Services and Implementation Science Research (CATALYST), College of Medicine, The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Andrew N Garman
- Department of Health Systems Management, Rush University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Geneva Sustainability Centre, International Hospital Federation, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Matthew J DePUCCIO
- Department of Health Systems Management, Rush University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Elizabeth Mayers
- The Center for the Advancement of Team Science, Analytics, and Systems Thinking in Health Services and Implementation Science Research (CATALYST), College of Medicine, The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio, USA
- College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Anneliese Sinclair
- The Center for the Advancement of Team Science, Analytics, and Systems Thinking in Health Services and Implementation Science Research (CATALYST), College of Medicine, The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Ann Scheck McALEARNEY
- The Center for the Advancement of Team Science, Analytics, and Systems Thinking in Health Services and Implementation Science Research (CATALYST), College of Medicine, The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio, USA
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, The Ohio State University Columbus, Ohio, USA
- College of Public Health, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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Levin L, Nevo M. Person, People, Planet: Eco-Systematic Analysis of Older Adults' Experiences of Engagement with Nature and Discourse About Nature. JOURNAL OF GERONTOLOGICAL SOCIAL WORK 2024; 67:541-557. [PMID: 38600774 DOI: 10.1080/01634372.2024.2339973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
This study combined ecological, environmental, nature-based, and epistemic interpretations of older adulthood to gain a previously unresearched look at how older adults feel that their relations with nature are treated by others. Sixty older adults were interviewed in-depth, and data was analyzed using the Eco-Appreciation framework and Thematic Content Analysis. The results indicate the concurrence of processes of withdrawal of older adults from spaces of nature and discourse about nature. These processes obstruct older adults' wellbeing; entail the infliction of existential epistemic injustices and "eco-ageism" toward them; and emphasize the crucial role social work can play in responding thereto.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lia Levin
- Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Mali Nevo
- Bob Shapell School of Social Work, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Carlson B, Kohon JN, Carder PC, Himes D, Toda E, Tanaka K. Climate Change Policies and Older Adults: An Analysis of States' Climate Adaptation Plans. THE GERONTOLOGIST 2024; 64:gnad077. [PMID: 37379518 DOI: 10.1093/geront/gnad077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES As climate change drives more frequent and intense weather events, older adults face disproportionate impacts, including having the highest mortality rates from storms, wildfires, flooding, and heat waves. State governments are critical in deploying local resources to help address climate change impacts. This policy study analyzes states' climate adaptation plans to assess the methods through which they address the impact of climate change on older adults. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS This study uses content analysis to analyze available climate change adaptation plans for all U.S. states for strategies designed to increase the resilience of older adults to the impacts of climate change. RESULTS A total of 19 states have climate adaptation plans, of which 18 describe older adults as a population group with specific health impacts and risk factors. There are 4 categories of adaptation strategies for older adults that includes communications, transportation, housing, and emergency services. State plans vary in terms of the risk factors and adaptation strategies included. DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS To varying degrees, states' climate change adaptation planning addresses health, social, and economic risks specific to older adults, as well as strategies for mitigating those risks. As global warming continues, collaborations between public and private sectors and across regions will be needed to prevent negative outcomes such as forced relocation and other social and economic disruptions as well as disparate morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryant Carlson
- Institute on Aging & OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Jacklyn N Kohon
- Institute on Aging, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, USA
- Research Center for Sustainability and Environment, Shiga University, Shiga, Japan
| | - Paula C Carder
- Institute on Aging & OHSU-PSU School of Public Health, Oregon Health & Science University-Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Dani Himes
- Institute on Aging, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Eiji Toda
- Institute on Aging, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon, USA
| | - Katsuya Tanaka
- Research Center for Sustainability and Environment, Shiga University, Shiga, Japan
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Roy S, Ayalon L. Intergenerational Relations in the Climate Movement: Bridging the Gap toward a Common Goal. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:233. [PMID: 36612555 PMCID: PMC9819550 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The call for climate action has attracted global support, especially among youth. Over time, climate discourse has turned increasingly hostile toward both younger and older generations, potentially engendering intergenerational conflict when intergenerational cooperation is most needed. Using a purposive sampling method, we selected a sample of 50 international influential individuals to gain an overview of the common views in current climate discourse to examine how they may impact intergenerational relations. We used a summative content analysis approach to analyze the different worldviews. The results are broadly divided into two categories-messages of intergenerational tension and messages of intergenerational solidarity. We found that although both types of messaging communicate similar facts and concerns, their presentation may either unite or divide different generations. Therefore, to work toward a common future for the benefit for all ages, it is essential for polarizing and accusatory sentiments to be replaced with messages of inclusivity and cooperation. This may be facilitated through intergenerational contact and interventions.
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Ayalon L, Roy S. The Role of Ageism in Climate Change Worries and Willingness to Act. J Appl Gerontol 2022; 42:1305-1312. [PMID: 36189610 DOI: 10.1177/07334648221130323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
This study examined the association of negative ageist prescriptive expectations regarding older people with worries about climate change and willingness to act. An online survey was completed by 250 Australians over the age 18. Higher levels of ageism (e.g., negative prescriptive views towards older people) were associated with fears about the impact of climate change on one's life, worries about the impact of climate change on older members of the family, and willingness to pay higher taxes to fight climate change. Holding more negative prescriptive views towards older people can serve as an incentive to act and at the same time carries an emotional negative valence associated with concerns and worries about the impact of climate change. Although willingness to act and concerns about climate change may inspire adaptation and mitigation efforts, it is important to ensure that they are not tied to ageism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liat Ayalon
- Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, 26731Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
| | - Senjooti Roy
- Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, 26731Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
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