Climate change in the Russian Arctic and health: review of the recent research findings (2006–2015)

This review, based on publications listed in the e-library, analyzes the results of recent studies assessing the impact of climate change on health. It covers several issues, such as identification of areas, which are the most vulnerable to climate change; assessment and future projections of health risks in relation to permafrost degradation or abnormally high air temperatures; assessment of worsening epidemiological conditions; assessment of health risks specific for the indigenous peoples of the North, and the trends in quality of urban environment. The existing adaptation plans in all Arctic administrative districts have been reviewed. The administrative regions were then subdivided into the following three groups: those which have adaptation plans with health protection chapters already in place, the regions which have enacted several administrative acts in this area, and the regions which have not developed any adaptation plans yet. A lack of unified methodological guidelines for developing such adaptation plans hinders preparation of these important documents on the regional level, with the purpose of their subsequent inclusion in the National Adaptation Plan. Development of such plans requires interdisciplinary cooperation of healthcare authorities, social services, environmental groups, geographers, and emergency response agencies. Well-developed and implemented adaptation plans will prevent additional deaths during heat waves or deaths caused by propagation of climate-related infectious diseases, including those associated with permafrost degradation. Adaptation plans will also facilitate access to healthcare in emergency situations related to degradation of the road infrastructure. Development of coupled forecasts of climate change and population mortality for three Arctic and sub-Arctic cities demonstrates a decrease in mortality from cardiovascular diseases, but with persisting health risks caused by exposure to abnormally high temperatures.