The Death by Degrees report predicts that global warming could also bring more waterborne disease, such as intestinal distress from drinking contaminated water or consuming contaminated foods. The water-borne Norwalk virus that sickened 27 Ohio residents in 1999 could become more common as floods increase. The Report also predicts more outbreaks of infectious disease spread by insects. More drought and forest fires could also be on the way. The death rate for asthma has tripled over the past 20 years.
Decisive action is needed now to protect human health.
The number one priority is to reduce the burning of fossil fuels, especially by coal-burning power plants and automobiles. The report on Ohio is the fourth in a planned series of 18 state-specific reports in which PSR describes the effects that rising world temperatures will have on local communities.