Health and climate: Implications and hazards
Climate change is no longer just an environmental concern; it is rapidly becoming a public health emergency. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that climate change could reverse decades of progress in global health and development, particularly for vulnerable populations.
One of the most immediate and pressing health risks associated with climate change is heat-related illnesses. Children, older adults, and economically disadvantaged individuals are particularly at risk due to their physiological vulnerabilities. For children, whose bodies are still developing, the impact of heat stress can be severe and even life-threatening. Older adults, with their decreased physiological resilience, are more susceptible to heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Climate change also exacerbates existing health problems and creates new ones. Changes in climate could increase the length of seasons for insect transmission of infections and expand the area where they occur, potentially leading to an increase in insect-transmitted infections. This, combined with warmer weather and more rainfall, can lead to increased dampness and fungi indoors, causing breathing problems.
The mental health impacts of climate change are also significant. Children and older adults are disproportionately affected by environmental stressors such as prolonged allergy seasons and natural disasters. Economic disadvantaged individuals often face compounded risks due to socio-economic and environmental vulnerabilities.
For economically disadvantaged individuals, the health impacts of climate change are particularly severe. Limited access to resources like air conditioning, clean water, healthcare, and information exacerbates their exposure to heat stress, indoor air pollution, and toxins in the environment. During extreme weather events, they are more susceptible to socio-economic and environmental vulnerabilities, with reduced access to healthcare further amplifying risks.
Climate change also affects the safety of shelter, air quality, and supply of drinking water. In coastal regions, mountainous regions, polar regions, small islands, megacities, countries with a lack of healthcare facilities, and developing countries, these risks are amplified.
Changes in climate can also affect food security, potentially leading to hunger, malnutrition, or obesity due to rising food prices and changes in the nutritional value of certain crops. Living in urban areas can increase the risk of disease due to overcrowding.
Extreme weather and natural disasters can be traumatic and stressful, potentially leading to increased suicide rates and mental health issues. Exposure to toxins in the environment and stress-related effects of climate change can have a negative effect on neurological health, potentially contributing to the development of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and health issues in a developing fetus.
In conclusion, climate change acts as a health emergency disproportionately impacting vulnerable groups through heat-related illnesses, infectious diseases, nutritional deficits, respiratory issues, mental health burdens, and reduced healthcare accessibility. The interplay of physiological vulnerability with social determinants of health defines the severity of risks for children, the elderly, and economically disadvantaged populations. It is crucial that we address these health risks associated with climate change to protect the most vulnerable members of our society.
References: [1] Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2018). Global Warming of 1.5°C. [2] World Health Organization (WHO). (2018). Health and Climate Change: Impacts, Vulnerabilities and Adaptation. [3] United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2019). Human Development Report 2019: Beyond Income, Beyond Averages, Beyond Today. [4] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2020). Climate and Health. [5] Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). (2019). Climate change and health equity: A review of the social determinants of health and climate vulnerability in the United States.
- The public healthsysytems and health providers must prioritize pediatrics, focusing on the protection of children from heat-related illnesses, as their bodies are still developing and the impact of heat stress can be severe.
- Climate change has a significant impact on mental health, with children and older adults being particularly at risk due to environmental stressors such as prolonged allergy seasons and natural disasters.
- Environmental science and medical-conditions research should collaborate to understand the neurological effects of exposure to toxins in the environment and stress-related effects of climate change, potentially contributing to the development of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and health issues in a developing fetus.
- Health and wellness initiatives should address the health disparities faced by economically disadvantaged individuals, who are disproportionately affected by climate change, often lacking access to resources like air conditioning, clean water, healthcare, and information.
- Climate change affects health and science in various ways, such as altering food security, leading to potential issues like hunger, malnutrition, or obesity due to rising food prices and changes in the nutritional value of certain crops, and the increased risk of disease due to overcrowding in urban areas.
