Potential Impacts of Climate Change on Public Health

Climate change has the potential to affect current events, the global economy, and the environment itself, but it will also directly and indirectly affect the health of people on this planet. Public health officials continue to study the effects of climate change on human health, ranging from reduced air quality to disaster-related trauma. One thing is for sure: the effects will be far-reaching.

The best way to protect yourself and become an advocate for change is to stay informed and understand the threats facing the world. Here are a few impacts climate change will have on public health.

Increased Spread of Infectious Diseases

One way that climate change directly impacts humans is with an increased risk of insect-born illnesses. Cold winters play an important role in pest control. Freezing temperatures often kill off harmful insects like mosquitos and ticks, while cool fall and spring temperatures keep them from reproducing. Milder winters will prevent this die-off and allow mosquitos and ticks to move into previously uninhabitable regions.

One indicator of climate change is the rise of tick-borne illnesses. Lyme disease incidents have nearly doubled since 1991. Previously uncommon illnesses, like the tick-born disease babesiosis, are also spreading across the county due to warming temperatures.

Habitat Loss and Zoonotic Diseases

Habitat loss and deforestation will increase the number of interactions between humans and wildlife. Sanjana Kulkarni, a PhD student at Harvard Medical School, says human development can lead to “zoonotic spillover,” which means humans and wildlife share more space. This also increases the spread of pathogens from humans to animals, known as zoonotic diseases.

Ebola, for example, is believed to have originated in fruit bats but then jumped from animals to humans. From there, ebola spreads from person to person.

The number of known zoonotic diseases could also increase with the rise of climate change. Rabies is a common one that usually spreads through biting. As more animals engage with humans through zoonotic spillover, the risk of getting bit is higher. Furthermore, new diseases are being discovered and will become common as animals are forced to interact more with humans.

Impact on Food and Water Safety

Climate change will directly affect crop production and access to clean water. According to the United Nations, higher temperatures will make extreme natural events more intense. Floods and hurricanes can wipe out crops, while extreme temperatures and droughts can cause famines and poverty in agriculture-dependent communities.

Natural disasters also affect water supplies. Cholera is spread through contaminated water and there are often spikes in cases following hurricanes or floods. Contaminated water from extreme storms can also increase instances of flesh-eating bacteria which are deadlier and leave lasting scars on survivors.

Malnutrition and Food Security

Natural disasters and drought are the direct results of climate change, and both can ruin crop yields. Communities can be plunged into famine when the crops they need to survive are destroyed or fail to grow.

Without adequate crops, communities can’t eat. This means that climate change will increase global rates of hunger and malnutrition, particularly in the most vulnerable populations. This can affect communities for generations. Missing key developmental milestones due to malnutrition can affect kids into adulthood, preventing growth and limiting their overall health.

Waterborne Diseases

Waterborne diseases are also on the rise because of climate change. Many of these diseases thrive in warm waters, where they can quickly reproduce. Viruses, bacteria, and protozoa can all reproduce and transfer to humans via water. Currently, the world’s oceans are experiencing record heat levels, which could cause incidents of waterborne diseases to increase.

Warm waters can also create bigger storms, which lead to water contamination. Wastewater can enter the drinking water supply, increasing rates of cholera and other illnesses.

Respiratory and Cardiovascular Issues

Climate change can also cause respiratory distress and harm the lungs, throat, and sinuses. Warmer air temperatures increase the growing season, which causes plants to produce more pollen over a longer period. This can worsen allergy symptoms, causing people to miss work and school.

The impacts of poor air quality can be felt globally. When something harms the air in one region, toxins in the atmosphere spread across the world. For example, smoke from Canadian wildfires in 2023 spread so far that it reached Europe. People across North America stayed inside for several days because the air was so difficult to breathe.

Pollution can also affect cardiovascular health because the body has to work harder to breathe. It can make it difficult for people to exercise and cause the body to absorb harmful contaminants. The cardiovascular system can also be further strained by extreme temperatures that lead to heat stress.

Air Quality and Pollution

Poor air quality caused by factories, wildfires, and auto exhaust can send ripple effects through communities and worsen a variety of health conditions. It can increase your risk of lung cancer, pneumonia, and other forms of pulmonary disease. People with existing health conditions, like sleep apnea, might experience symptoms that are exacerbated by pollution, making these illnesses difficult to live with.

Heat Waves and Heat-Related Illnesses

According to the CDC, an estimated 1,220 Americans are killed by extreme heat each year. Extreme temperatures can cause heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and dehydration. As temperatures reach new levels and there are more hot days each year, the number of people affected by heat is expected to rise.

Extreme heat is particularly dangerous for vulnerable populations. Older people and those with existing health conditions like autoimmune disease might experience worsened symptoms because of the heat. Outdoor sun exposure can also harm healthy people by increasing their risk of developing skin cancer.

Mental Health Effects

Climate change will have both physical and psychological impacts on the human population. People often experience grief and trauma in the wake of a disaster, especially if their loved ones and belongings were impacted.

Further, both victims and first responders might experience PTSD and depression after a natural disaster. Many aid workers and rescue teams aren’t prepared for the amount of human suffering they see.

Natural Disasters and Trauma

Natural disasters like hurricanes, wildfires, and floods can leave mental health scars on the body. People can feel overwhelmed by the steps they have to take to pick up the pieces and feel grief about everyone they lost.

Many organizations send water, food, and supplies after a disaster, but the need for mental health support and services is also great. Therapy and support groups can help people process what happened to them and how it changed their lives.

Eco-Anxiety and Stress

You don’t have to live through a natural disaster to experience stress over the changing climate. Researchers have coined various terms for the sense of dread that you feel because of the changing climate. Terms like “eco-anxiety, eco-grief, or climate doom” all refer to negative mental health symptoms that occur from worrying about the future of the planet.

There are ways to fight eco-anxiety and support your mental health. Researchers encourage people to consume media related to natural disasters in moderation, which means avoiding doomscrolling. Going for walks, meditating, and eating healthy meals can also make you feel better.

Climate change is a part of life now and will be in the future. Though you can’t stop disasters or prevent famine, you can stay informed about the world and support the people affected. If your eco-anxiety persists, try to make a change in your community. Get involved in park cleanups, fundraise for people harmed by disasters, and advocate for public health protections. Even a small voice can make a big difference.

Disclaimer:

The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice and should not be used as a substitute for professional consultation, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.