Climate Change and Occupational Health

Climate Change and Occupational Health

General PracticeFamily MedicineInternal Medicine
A badge with ribbon in color black No CME/CPD credits | An analog clock in color black 1 Hour | A black calendar with white triangle in center that has a black exclamation point in the middle 25 Jul 2026 

Overview

About

In recent years, the importance of addressing climate change has been clear, with its consequences showing not just in environmental transformations but also in serious public health issues. Among them, the effects on workers' health are sometimes underestimated, despite their importance in maintaining a healthy and effective workforce.

There is growing evidence that climate change exacerbates existing occupational dangers and creates new ones. Rising global temperatures cause greater heat stress, particularly among outdoor workers in industries such as agriculture and construction, but they also affect indoor workers in poorly conditioned facilities. This can lead to heat-related illnesses, impaired cognitive function, and increased accident rates.

Beyond heat, changed weather patterns contribute to extreme weather events such as floods, wildfires, and storms. These events pose danger of damage, trauma, and others.

This module focuses on heat-related illnesses in occupational health settings and how to protect workers from them.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, healthcare professionals will be equipped with the knowledge and practical tools needed to:
  • Understand the health impacts of climate change on outdoor and vulnerable workers
  • Recognize and prevent heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke and skin disorders
  • Promote safer work environments through proactive occupational health strategies
  • Encourage collaborative dialogue on how to better protect worker health in a warming world

Topics covered:

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Dr Ng Wee Tong
Preventing Heat Stroke: A Vital Step in Safeguarding Workers' Health
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Dr Gogillan Sevaratnam
Heat Rash & Beyond: Protecting Workers from Skin Disorders Caused by Heat

Keywords: impact of climate change on human health, climate change and human health, climate change and health, health effects of climate change, climate change and health impacts, occupational health

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