The New Jersey Institute of Technology's
Electronic Theses & Dissertations Project

Title:	Assessing the health effects of climate change, social vulnerability, and environmental justice in Camden County, New Jersey
Author:	Ivanov, Daniil
View Online:	njit-etd2022-067 (xiii, 121 pages ~ 8.3 MB pdf)
Department:	Department of Chemistry and Environmental Science
Degree:	Master of Science
Program:	Environmental Science
Document Type:	Thesis
Advisory Committee:	Qiu, Zeyuan (Committee chair) Sadik, Omowunmi A. (Committee member) Fu, Mei R. (Committee member)
Date:	2022-12
Keywords:	Health outcomes Climate change Social vulnerability Environmental justice
Availability:	Unrestricted
Abstract:	Climate change negatively impacts health, while socially vulnerable and overburdened communities disproportionately experience climate change and negative health determinants. Camden County is used as a case study for analyzing environment, socioeconomics, and health. Environmental variables—PM2.5 and land cover of impervious surfaces, floodplains, and forests—were compared to the CDC Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) at the census tract level, finding significant correlations between land cover, air quality, and the SVI. The overburdened communities defined by the NJ Environmental Justice Law experienced a significantly higher incidence of emergency department visitation for respiratory, circulatory, and mental illnesses than non-overburdened communities. Health outcomes were compared to the CDC SVI and environmental factors, finding positive and significant correlation between the SVI, environment, and emergency department visitation for respiratory, circulatory, and mental illnesses. Data suggests that climate change will impact the health of all, while having magnified effects on the socially vulnerable and overburdened communities.