EPA report on warming: Poor, elderly most at risk

WASHINGTON — Global warming will affect the health and welfare of every American, according to a new White House science report.

The 284-page report, mostly written by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, said every region of the country will be hit by worsening health from heat waves and drought. It said all but a handful of states would have worse air quality and flooding. It predicts an increase in diseases spread by tainted food, bad water and bugs.

The most vulnerable Americans — the poor, elderly, sick, very young and immigrants — will suffer more, said Kristie Ebi, the lead author of the health sections of the report and a private public-health consultant. That's at least 10 percent of the country's population, probably more, she said.

It will be tougher for these people to get adequate health care for climate-related illnesses, cool down in heat waves, escape extreme events such as Hurricane Katrina and even get enough food, the report said.

While every region of America is vulnerable to global warming's health and welfare effects, more people are moving into coastal regions, which are most vulnerable to climate change.