Knowra Effects of climate change on human health Effects of climate change on human health Climate change affects human health through rising heat, extreme weather, shifting infectious-disease patterns, poorer air quality, and disruptions to food, water, and social systems.
Heat illness : A spectrum of health problems caused by excessive heat, from dehydration and heat exhaustion to life-threatening heatstroke. Higher temperatures directly raise the risk of heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and related deaths.
Heat wave : A period of unusually hot weather lasting several days or longer, relative to a region’s climate. Climate change makes many heat waves more frequent, intense, or prolonged, increasing heat-related illness.
Climate change adaptation : Changes in systems and practices that reduce harm from actual or expected climate impacts. Adaptation measures can reduce health risks through heat plans, resilient services, and safer infrastructure.
Climate change mitigation : Actions that reduce greenhouse-gas emissions or increase their removal from the atmosphere. Mitigation limits future hazards, while the health effects here arise from hazards already occurring or anticipated.
Wildfire smoke : Airborne gases and particles released by wildfires that can irritate airways and worsen heart and lung disease. Hotter, drier conditions can increase fire risk, exposing communities to harmful smoke.
Hurricane : A tropical cyclone with sustained winds of at least 74 miles per hour. Storms can cause deaths and injuries directly, then disrupt health care, housing, power, and clean water.
Public health : The organized effort to protect and improve health across populations. Population-wide surveillance and prevention help communities anticipate and reduce climate-related illness.
Climate variability : Natural fluctuations in climate conditions over months, years, or decades. Distinguishing long-term climate change from natural variability helps attribute changing health risks.
Vector-borne disease : Infections transmitted by organisms such as mosquitoes, ticks, or fleas. Changing temperatures and rainfall can shift vectors’ ranges, seasons, and opportunities to spread infection.
Flood : An overflow of water that submerges land that is usually dry. Flooding can injure people, contaminate water, displace households, and interrupt essential care.
Show all 21