Climate change has engendered serious public health challenges in Rhode Island. Harmful algal blooms in state waters, vector-borne diseases (from mosquitoes and ticks), asthma, allergies, and heat stresses (spasms, exhaustion, and stroke) are among these challenges. Heat waves are the leading cause of extreme-weather-related deaths in the United States. Climate change threatens air quality, water quality, food security, and disease resistance, and exists as a growing threat to the health and safety of Rhode Islanders.   

Sources:
http://climatechange.ri.gov/documents/ec4-science-and-technical-advisory-board-report.pdf http://health.ri.gov/publications/guides/ClimateChangeAndYourHealth.pdf
http://climatechange.ri.gov/climate-science/