How does climate change affect human health?

Climate change affects human health in a variety of ways. Extreme changes in the weather and environment can increase existing health problems, as well as creating new ones.

 

In this article, we look at the major risks that climate change poses to human health and discuss who might be most at risk from its effects.

 

Public health impact

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Extremes in weather and temperature, increased pollution and environmental toxins, and changes in food security can all cause physical and mental health problems.

 

Climate change is affecting some of the essential factors that influence human health, including:

• safety of shelter
• air quality
• quality, safety, and supply of drinking water
• food availability
• nutrition levels in food

 

As climate change progresses, researchers expect an increase in related health issues.

 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), researchers predict that certain effects of climate change will contribute to an increase of about 250,000 deaths per yearTrusted Source between 2030 and 2050 from conditions such as:

• heat stress
• malnutrition
• diarrhea
• malaria

 

Climate change can also contribute to migration, as factors such as drought and plummeting fish stocks can lead rural populations to move into urban centers.

 

Living in urban areas can increase the risk of disease due to overcrowding and higher temperatures.

 

Mental health

Extreme weather and natural disasters can be traumatic and stressful for the people whom they affect.

 

People may undergo displacement, injury, the loss of their home and possessions, or the loss of loved ones.

 

Extreme heat may also have a more significant effect on people with mental health conditions. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide rates increaseTrusted Source with higher temperatures.

 

The CDC suggest that climate change and higher temperatures have a negative effect on depression and other mental health conditions.

 

Extreme temperatures can also change how certain medications, such as schizophrenia treatments, work in the body. In addition, they may affect people’s ability to regulate their body temperature correctly.

 

ResearchersTrusted Source have found that natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina, have negative mental health effects on those involved, including post-traumatic stress disorder and high levels of anxiety. Floods, heat waves, and wildfires may also create these issues.

 

Concerns about the effects of climate change may also be a source of increased anxiety or despair for some people.

 

Infectious diseases

According to the WHOTrusted Source, climate change is likely to cause an increase in insect-transmitted infections and waterborne diseases.

 

The reason for this is that changes in climate could increase the length of the seasons during which insects transmit infections. These changes could also expand the area in which they occur.

 

Countries such as the United States may be at risk of an increase in both current waterborne and insect borne diseases and diseases that are not yet present in the area.

 

Changes in rainfall patterns could also increase the risk of waterborne diseases and infectious diseases that cause diarrhea.

 

Heat- and weather-related conditions

Rising temperatures can cause or exacerbate a wide range of severe health problems. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can cause:

• heatstroke
• heat exhaustion
• muscle cramps
• worsening of existing conditions, such as respiratory and heart conditions
• death

 

Extreme changes in temperature are likely to have a more significant effect on certain groupsTrusted Source of people:

• children
• older adults
• people with chronic health conditions
• people with less economic stability
• people who are socially isolated
• those living in urban areas, where heat levels will be several degrees warmer than they are in areas with fewer buildings

 

An increase in extreme weather conditions poses a serious risk to health. Hot, dry conditions and droughts can cause:

• dust storms
• wildfires
• a decrease in water supply and quality
• reduced quality of air
• lack of food

 

All of these factors can have severe effects on human health, including:

• increased risk of infections
• injury
• burns
• respiratory problems from smoke exposure
• malnutrition
• death

 

Severe flooding and flash floods can be very dangerous. According to the CDC, approximately 98 peopleTrusted Source die each year in the U.S. as a result of flooding.

 

While the immediate dangers of flooding include drowning and injury from damaged buildings, other risks of flooding include:

 

• exposure to toxic chemicals in runoff
• displacement and homelessness, which can affect physical and mental health
• an increase in respiratory diseases from living in damp environments
• mold, which can reduce indoor air quality

 

Air pollution

An increase in air pollution can pose a high risk to health. Higher levels of dust, ozone, and fine particles in the air can all reduce air quality and cause or exacerbate a range of health issues, including:

 

• asthma
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• coughing and irritation of the throat
• inflammation of the lungs
• risk of lung cancer
• airway congestion
• chest pain
• heart attacks

 

Allergens

Warmer temperatures can lead to an increase in pollen production. An increase in carbon dioxide can lead to higher levels of allergens from plants.

 

As a result, people may experience the following effects:

 

• greater sensitivity to allergens
• asthma, including longer or more frequent bouts of acute asthma
• worsening of other respiratory conditions

 

A combination of warmer weather and more rainfall can lead to increased dampness and fungi, including mold, indoors. These conditions can also cause breathing problems.

 

Food security

Weather changes affect crops and food production. Food prices may rise, which may cause people to adopt less healthful diets. Poor diets can lead to hunger, malnutrition, or obesity.

 

According to the CDCTrusted Source, the nutritional value of certain foods may decrease due to climate change. Experts predict that increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere and changes to the nutrients in the soil will result in fewer nutrients in many crops.

 

The likely increase in weeds and pests will also mean that farmers need to use greater amounts of herbicides and pesticides. These substances can be toxic to the people working with crops, as well as to those eating them.

 

Developmental and neurological issues

Exposure to toxins in the environment and stress-related effects of climate change can have a negative effect on neurological health.

 

According to the National Institute of Environmental Health SciencesTrusted Source, scientists believe that environmental factors play a role in the development of both Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

 

Toxins in food and water can also lead to health issues in a developing fetus.

 

For example, climate change can cause harmful algal blooms, which increase the biotoxins in fish and seafood. An increase in heavy metals, such as mercury and lead, contaminating seafood can lead to a reduced IQTrusted Source in a developing fetus.

 

Who is most at risk?

Although all populationsTrusted Source are likely to experience the effects of climate change, certain areas of the world are more at risk than others.

 

Areas most at riskTrusted Source from the health effects of climate change include:

 

• coastal regions
• mountainous regions
• polar regions
• small islands
• megacities
• countries with a lack of healthcare facilities
• developing countries

 

Certain groups of people are also more at risk from the health hazards of climate change. They include:

 

• children, particularly those living in developing countries
• older adults
• people with certain preexisting health conditions
• people who are economically disadvantaged
• people who are socially isolated

 

Summary

Climate change poses significant risks to human health in many ways.

 

Natural disasters and extreme weather events can cause injury, mental health issues, increased risk of infection, and death. Damage to infrastructure can also cause long-term setbacks to health and well-being.

 

Increased pollution, toxins, and allergens in the environment can all lead to an increase in respiratory and heart health issues.

 

Children and older adults are most at risk from health issues relating to climate change, as are people in less economically developed areas.

 

Addressing climate change is vital to help limit these effects and health risks.

 

Article Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/climate-change-and-health#summary