Climate change and public health: Changing weather poses a risk to people’s health worldwide

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Climate change and public health: Changing weather poses a risk to people’s health worldwide

Climate change and public health: Changing weather poses a risk to people’s health worldwide

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Climate change worsens existing illnesses, helps pests to spread to new areas, and threatens populations worldwide by making certain health conditions endemic.
    • Author:
    • Author name
      Quantumrun Foresight
    • June 28, 2022

    Insight summary

    Extreme weather due to environmental shifts is on a path to intensify existing health problems while potentially giving rise to new ones, with repercussions that may catch governments off guard. As these changes threaten rural livelihoods through droughts and dwindling fish stocks, more people are moving to cities, altering migration trends. The unfolding climate scenario is also expected to extend the seasons of infectious diseases, posing additional health risks and challenges.

    Climate change public health context

    Extreme weather and environmental changes can worsen current human health issues and cause new ones. Governments may face mounting health challenges in the future that they may not have predicted decades ago. Researchers at the World Health Organization (WHO) have projected that climate change could lead to an additional 250,000 deaths annually between 2030 and 2050.

    Environmental dangers and health conditions such as heat exhaustion, hunger, diarrhea, and malaria may become increasingly common. Similarly, climate change may drive new migration patterns. Populations living in rural areas (who bear the brunt of climate change due to limited infrastructure) are increasingly migrating to cities as their agricultural livelihoods become uneconomical due to drought and declining fish sources.

    According to a WHO report in October 2021, climate change is expected to increase insect-borne illnesses and waterborne diseases. This is due to the possibility that climate change could lengthen the seasons during which insects spread infections and may broaden various insects’ geographic footprint. Consequently, countries like the United States (US) may face increasing waterborne and insect-borne illnesses and diseases. In addition, changes in rainfall patterns may potentially raise the risk of waterborne infections and infectious diarrheal disorders.

    Disruptive impact

    Numerous governments have recognized the dangers of climate change, with countries worldwide implementing measures to reduce carbon emissions, such as transitioning their economies to renewable power sources and encouraging the development of battery-powered transport such as electric vehicles and trains.

    Moreover, weather variations have an impact on crop yield sizes, affecting the overall food supply. As a result, food prices may rise due to increased scarcity, leading to people eating less and poorer quality food. Negative dietary habits can result in hunger, malnutrition, or obesity, increasing pressure on national health systems as these conditions lead to more people needing medical treatment. In addition, the predicted rise in weeds and pests may force farmers to use more potent herbicides and insecticides, which could taint food chains and lead to people consuming poisonous chemicals if these pesticides are administered incorrectly.

    The combination of extreme heat and poor air quality may worsen underlying cardiac and respiratory disorders. These include asthma, renal failure, and pre-term delivery. By the 2030s, depending on the severity of climate-induced human health impacts, governments may introduce increasingly restrictive regulations to regulate the activities of carbon-producing industries or increase the penalties offender companies pay if they exceed their carbon emissions limits. 

    Implications of climate change on national public health

    Wider implications of climate change affecting public health may include:

    • Pharmaceutical companies experiencing a rise in profits as they experience increased demand for a range of drugs and treatments for common maladies influenced by climate change.
    • The creation of a niche field in healthcare that specializes in studying climate-induced health implications.
    • Increased population migration to northern nations with relatively stable climates that are more hospitable to human health.
    • More vertical farms being developed by companies and entrepreneurs as adverse weather conditions make it increasingly difficult to conduct agriculture outdoors. 
    • Rising food prices leading to increased political instability and civil unrest, especially in developing nations around the world.
    • Insurance companies adjusting their healthcare policies to address climate-induced illnesses. 

    Questions to consider

    • What investments can governments make to help their populations adapt or significantly minimize the negative health effects of climate change?
    • What role can citizens play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions?

    Insight references

    The following popular and institutional links were referenced for this insight: