Written by: Abhinav Anne

This article was written in association with Climate Cardinals, the world’s largest youth-led climate advocacy organization dedicated to translating and disseminating climate information.

Climate change poses an existential threat to human health, amplifying existing health risks and giving rise to new challenges that imperil the well-being of communities worldwide. As the planet continues to warm, extreme weather events, shifts in precipitation patterns, and rising sea levels intensify, exacerbating vulnerabilities and undermining decades of progress in global health. This article delves into the intricate link between climate change and public health, exploring the impacts of climate-related hazards on human well-being and the urgent imperative for coordinated action.  Climate change threatens global health both directly, in the form of heat waves, droughts, heavy storms, and sea-level rise, as well as indirectly, through vector-borne and airway diseases, food and water insecurity, undernutrition, and forced displacements.

The Threat of Climate Change on Public Health

Climate change is expected to exacerbate respiratory and cardiovascular diseases due to increased air pollution, heighten the risk of vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue fever by expanding the habitats of vectors, and increase the incidence of heat-related illnesses and waterborne diseases due to rising temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences). Not everyone is equally at risk, with important considerations including age, economic resources, and location.

Figure 1

Infographics such as the above are part of the PAHO Climate Change and Health Program to increase literacy across North and South America

Source: https://www.paho.org/en/topics/climate-change-and-health

In the United States, public health can be affected by disruptions of physical, biological, and ecological systems. The health effects of these disruptions include premature deaths related to extreme weather events, changes in the prevalence and geographical distribution of food- and water-borne illnesses and other infectious diseases, and threats to mental health (USEPA). Furthermore, President Biden called U.S. climate leadership “more necessary and urgent than ever” and has placed the climate crisis “at the forefront of this Nation’s foreign policy and national security planning.” In response to these emerging health threats agencies such as the United States Agency for International Development and the American Public Health Association have been working to improve the frontlines of the climate crisis and enhance public information and knowledge. In April 2021, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) committed to developing a new Agency Climate Strategy that will guide efforts through 2030 and target climate change resources to meet the most urgent, immediate demands of the climate crisis as well as the long-term, transformative shifts (USAID).

Climate Change and Health Systems

Climate change accelerates health problems through increased pressures from rising heat, extreme weather events, droughts, shifts in duration and prevalence of diseases, and the potential for increased novel diseases being introduced. Health systems need to act now by promoting and building capacity for effective and iterative risk management across all levels, fostering multi-sectoral engagement, and identifying actions and investments over the short and long term to increase system resilience. Although the negative impacts of climate on health have been well documented for decades, attention to and efforts in this space often need to be implemented (Portier 2011). 

The Global Impact: Climate Change and Health

The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) presents alarming findings, emphasizing the rapid escalation of climate risks (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences). Currently, 3.6 billion individuals reside in regions highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change, with vulnerable areas bearing the brunt of extreme weather events. These regions experience a staggering death rate 15 times higher than less vulnerable areas, underscoring the profound disparities in exposure and resilience across communities.

Furthermore, between 2030 and 2050, climate-related factors are projected to contribute to approximately 250,000 additional deaths annually, primarily due to malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea, and heat stress. The direct economic costs to health systems are estimated to soar to US $2–4 billion annually by 2030, excluding indirect costs in agriculture and water management sectors (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).

Figure 2

A graph depicting the 250,000 additional deaths from climate-sensitive diseases from 2030 onward

Source: https://www.paho.org/en/topics/climate-change-and-health

Regions with inadequate health infrastructure, predominantly in deveoping countries, will struggle the most to cope without external assistance in preparing for and responding to these climate-related health crises. However, there is hope in mitigating these impacts through emission reduction strategies. By making informed choices regarding transportation, food production, and energy consumption, significant gains in health outcomes can be achieved, particularly through reductions in air pollution levels. Urgent action is imperative to address these challenges and safeguard the health and well-being of populations worldwide.

Climate Change and Public Health Challenges

Climate change significantly exacerbates public health challenges globally. Approximately 2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water, and 600 million suffer from foodborne illnesses annually, with climate stressors intensifying these risks. Vulnerable populations, especially those over 65, are disproportionately affected by heat-related deaths, which recent studies attribute 37% to human-induced climate change (World Health Organization). This escalation in temperature also aggravates food insecurity, affecting millions worldwide.

Projected Health Impacts and Inequalities

The World Health Organization (WHO) anticipates an alarming increase in climate-related deaths, projecting an additional 250,000 deaths annually by the 2030s due to diseases like malaria and incidents like coastal flooding. These projections highlight the urgent need for improved predictive models to inform effective interventions. Furthermore, climate change threatens to reverse decades of progress in reducing global health disparities and achieving universal health coverage, as marginalized communities face the brunt of these impacts (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences).

Economic Implications on Healthcare

The financial strain of healthcare is profound, with escalating costs and health shocks pushing millions into poverty each year. Over 930 million people globally spend a significant portion of their household budget on healthcare. Climate change amplifies these economic vulnerabilities, increasing healthcare costs and exacerbating health disparities. This necessitates urgent actions to mitigate financial burdens and enhance the resilience of healthcare systems to climate impacts (Yale School of Public Health).

The Path Forward

Urgent action is imperative to avert catastrophic health impacts and prevent millions of climate change-related deaths. Limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C remains paramount, requiring bold and coordinated efforts across all sectors to mitigate emissions, enhance climate resilience, and prioritize health equity.

Healthcare facilities can bolster resilience and sustainability by investing in clean energy, while individuals can engage with healthcare providers to address climate change-related health concerns. Communities and governments must implement policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote clean energy, and enhance climate resilience, fostering a healthier and more sustainable future for all (USEPA).

Conclusion

The intersection of climate change and public health represents a formidable challenge and a defining moment for all of humanity. It serves as a call to action that transcends borders, ideologies, and interests, demanding urgent and unified efforts from individuals, communities, governments, and international organizations alike.

Addressing this crisis demands not just incremental change but bold and transformative action. It requires reimagining our societies, economies, and lifestyles in ways that prioritize health, equity, resilience, and sustainability. It means investing in clean energy, sustainable transportation, resilient infrastructure, and nature-based solutions. Furthermore, it requires us to empower communities, particularly those most vulnerable and marginalized, to adapt and thrive in the face of climate-related challenges.

By harnessing collective resolve and mobilizing resources on an unprecedented scale, we can mitigate the adverse impacts of climate change on human health and pave the way for a healthier, more sustainable future. Together, we can build a future where every individual has the opportunity to live a healthy, dignified, and fulfilling life in harmony with nature and each other.

References and Sources

Alliance for action on climate change and health (ATACH). (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.who.int/initiatives/alliance-for-transformative-action-on-climate-and-health

Climate Change Impacts on Human Health and the Health Sector: Global Health. (2023). Retrieved from https://www.usaid.gov/global-health/health-systems-innovation/health-systems/resources/climate-change-impacts

Climate Change Effects On Public Health: Yale School Of Public Health. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://ysph.yale.edu/yale-center-on-climate-change-and-health/

Climate Effects on Health. (2022). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/climateandhealth/effects/default.htm 

Human Health Impacts of Climate Change. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/programs/climatechange/health_impacts

Portier C. J. (2011). Comprehensive environmental public health. Public health reports (Washington, D.C. : 1974), 126 Suppl 1(Suppl 1), 3–6. https://doi.org/10.1177/00333549111260S102

US EPA. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://climatechange.chicago.gov/climate-impacts/climate-impacts-human-health