Climate change poses a significant danger to human health. With shifting climatic patterns, we’re witnessing more frequent and severe weather events, which directly and indirectly impact health. This heightened risk encompasses increased mortality rates, a rise in noncommunicable diseases, the proliferation and spread of infectious illnesses, and health crises.
Furthermore, climate change exerts strain on our healthcare professionals and infrastructure, diminishing our ability to ensure universal health coverage. In essence, it acts as a risk multiplier, jeopardizing and potentially undoing the strides we’ve made in healthcare over the past decades.
Who takes the hardest hit?
Despite being minor contributors to global emissions, low-income countries and small island developing states (SIDS) bear the brunt of the severe health consequences. In vulnerable regions, the mortality rate from extreme weather occurrences over the past decade soared to 15 times higher compared to less susceptible areas. Moreover, the health risks exacerbated by climate variations disproportionately affect the most marginalized and disadvantaged groups, including women, children, ethnic minorities, impoverished communities, migrants or displaced individuals, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions.
A staggering 930 million individuals – roughly 12% of the global populace – allocate at least 10% of their household income toward healthcare expenses. Given that a significant portion of the poorest individuals lacks insurance coverage, health-related shocks and strains annually plunge approximately 100 million people into poverty, a trend exacerbated by the impacts of climate change.
Figure: Examples of communities facing elevated susceptibility to adverse health impacts due to climate change, alongside strategies for adaptation. Risks confronting these populations are highlighted in white, while corresponding mitigation measures are represented in darker text [Source: Environmental Protection Agency (National Climate Assessment)] .
Health Consequences of Extreme Weather
The escalating frequency of extreme weather events, including heatwaves, storms, and floods, can be attributed to climate change. With rising ocean temperatures, hurricanes are becoming more potent and moisture-laden, resulting in both direct and indirect fatalities. Drier conditions contribute to an uptick in wildfires, posing numerous health hazards. Additionally, heightened occurrences of flooding facilitate the transmission of waterborne diseases, injuries, and chemical threats. These hazards further disrupt food supply chains, elevate the risk of zoonotic diseases and illnesses transmitted through food, water, and vectors, and exacerbate mental health challenges.
Heat related health impacts
Heat stands out as one of the most perilous weather occurrences. Climate change is amplifying population vulnerability to heat, a trend set to persist. Across the globe, there’s a noticeable uptick in the frequency, duration, and intensity of extreme temperature episodes. Recent studies indicate that 37% of heat-related fatalities can be linked to human-induced climate change. Particularly alarming is the 70% surge in heat-related deaths among individuals aged over 65 over the span of two decades.
Climate change and Vector borne diseases (VBDs)
Climate plays a crucial role in shaping the transmission dynamics, geographic distribution, and resurgence of VBDs through various pathways. These include direct impacts on the pathogen itself, the vectors transmitting the diseases, non-human hosts, and human populations. Moreover, climate change can induce significant alterations in entire ecosystem habitats, including urban environments, which can either facilitate or hinder the proliferation of vectors or non-human hosts. Without proactive measures, the current toll of over 700,000 annual deaths from VBDs may escalate further.
Figure: A broad perspective on health risks influenced by climate, including how they are encountered and the factors that increase vulnerability (Source: World Health Organization)
Climate change and mental health
Climate change exacerbates feelings of anxiety, distress, and other mental health issues among the public, leading to the development of various psychological problems. Additionally, frequent exposure to extreme climatic events, such as geological disasters, can result in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while their recurring nature increases the risk of chronic psychological dysfunction.
Moreover, incessant media coverage of such events can further elevate individuals’ stress levels. Similarly, communities residing in flood-prone areas constantly live in fear of inundation and the resulting loss of life. Furthermore, the destruction of vital physical infrastructure due to flooding adds further strain to these communities. For example, Hurricane Katrina exacerbated mental health issues within the affected communities.
Health impact through water and food scarcity
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a staggering 2 billion individuals lack access to safe drinking water, while 600 million people endure foodborne illnesses each year, with children under 5 accounting for 30% of foodborne fatalities. Climate-related stressors amplify the risks of waterborne and foodborne diseases. In 2020 alone, 770 million people grappled with hunger, predominantly concentrated in Africa and Asia. Climate change significantly impacts food availability, quality, and diversity, thereby exacerbating food and nutrition crises worldwide.
In conclusion, climate change exacerbates health risks, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. Extreme weather events, water scarcity, and food insecurity amplify mortality, disease, and mental health challenges. Urgent action is needed to mitigate these impacts, safeguarding public health and addressing systemic inequalities for a sustainable future.
References
World Health Organization. (2023). Climate change. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/climate-change-and-health
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2021). Climate change impacts. https://www.noaa.gov/education/resource-collections/climate/climate-change-impacts
Abbass, K., Qasim, M. Z., Song, H., Murshed, M., Mahmood, H., & Younis, I. (2022). A review of the global climate change impacts, adaptation, and sustainable mitigation measures. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(28), 42539–42559. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-19718-6
Kirsten Weir. (2016). Climate change is threatening mental health. https://Www.Apa.Org. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2016/07-08/climate-change
World Health Organization. (2018). Heat and Health. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/climate-change-heat-and-health
Ogden, L. E. (2018). Climate change, pathogens, and people: The challenges of monitoring a moving target. BioScience, 68(10), 733–739. https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biy101
Rocklöv, J., & Dubrow, R. (2020). Climate change: An enduring challenge for vector-borne disease prevention and control. Nature Immunology, 21(5), Article 5. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41590-020-0648-y
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