Climate Change and Health

Climate change is affecting the geographic range and seasonality of injuries, illnesses and deaths associated with extreme weather and climate events. This includes events such as floods and heatwaves; changes in air quality; increases in the geographic range, seasonality and/or intensity of transmission of infectious diseases such as diarrheal disease and vectorborne diseases (e.g., Lyme disease, dengue and malaria); undernutrition; and the health consequences associated with delayed and/or cascading effects of climate change or the policies and programs implemented to manage them (e.g., undernutrition, conflict, migration, and mental stress). Projections suggest increases in most climate-sensitive health outcomes over coming decades if no actions are taken to prepare for and reduce the risks through adaptation and mitigation. Proactive and effective adaptation has the potential to reduce many of the projected risks. Health system policies and programs need to take into account not just climate change, but also changes in population health status and health system capacity. The magnitude and pattern of health risks past mid-century will be determined largely by the extent to which greenhouse gas emissions are reduced and by the extent to which health systems are strengthened to manage current and prepare for projected risks. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2021.