11 July 2024 : Review article
A Review of the Increasing Global Impact of Climate Change on Human Health and Approaches to Medical Preparedness
Dinah V. Parums1CDEF*DOI: 10.12659/MSM.945763
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e945763
Introduction
The Climate Crisis, Global Variations in Climate, and the Effects on Health
Environmental Effects of Climate Change and Potential Interventions
The Effects of Increased Temperature on Human Health
Reduced Air Quality, Wildfires, and Health
Climate Change and Vector-Borne Diseases
Flooding, Water-Borne, and Food-Borne Diseases
Climate Change and Mental Health
Raising Global Awareness of Climate Change and Health
Improving Medical Awareness of Climate Change and Health
Conclusions
References
Table 1 Interventions on the impacts of climate change on the environment and health [7].
| Climate changes | Environmental impacts | Impacts on health | Intervention strategies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global increase in temperature | Extreme heat | Heat-associated illness, including:Changes in the patterns of infectious diseaseIncrease in zoonotic and vector-borne diseaseIncreased risk of epidemics, pandemics, mental and neurological disordersIncreased mortality | Preparedness strategiesEarly warning systemsCommunity awareness and supportPrevention and reduction of diseases and injuryPublic health educationPublic health improvements and planningImplementation of community, national, and global control of climate change and pollution |
| Increased rainfall | Reduced water and food quality | ||
| Rise in sea levels | Flooding, with increased water pollution, water-borne infections, and zoonotic vector-borne disease | ||
| Extreme weather events | Air and water pollution | ||
| Changes in the growing seasons and land use | Increased exposure to allergens, food shortages, food contamination, and spread of environmental pathogens | ||
| Modified from: []. | |||