Embedded Files
The climate crisis is a health crisis, with climatic extremes increasingly claiming lives and livelihoods worldwide.
The climate crisis is a health crisis, with climatic extremes increasingly claiming lives and livelihoods worldwide.
Romanello, M ∙ Walawender, M ∙ Hsu, S-C ∙ et al. The 2024 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: facing record-breaking threats from delayed action Lancet. 2024; 404:1847-1896
Medical News in Brief December 6, 2024
Climate Change Inaction Poses Record-Breaking Health Risks
Samantha Anderer JAMA. Published online December 6, 2024. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.24263
People around the world face record-breaking health threats because of climate change and the worsening effects of “persistent inaction,” the latest Lancet report on health and climate change attests. With 2023 topping the charts as the hottest year on record, people were exposed to an average of 50 more days of health-threatening temperatures than they would have without climate change, the annual report stated. The rapidly changing climate is also associated with a higher frequency of both precipitation and drought. The report estimated that 61% of global land area experienced more days of extreme rainfall in 2014-2023 compared with prior decades, which poses an increased “risk of flooding, infectious disease spread, and water contamination,” the report noted. In contrast, 48% of the world’s land experienced at least 1 month of extreme drought in 2023, which, along with a rise in heat waves, is associated with 151 million more people experiencing food insecurity, worsening the global risk of malnutrition. In a press release, Marina Romanello, PhD, executive director of the report, now in its eighth year, said these were the “most concerning findings yet.” Authors blamed both companies and governments for the trillions of dollars they’ve invested in fossil fuels and called for a shift toward net-zero emissions. Published Online: December 6, 2024. doi:10.1001/jama.2024.24
From: Alaina Pfenning-Butterworth, Lauren B Buckley, John M Drake, Johannah E Farner, Maxwell J Farrell, Alyssa-Lois M Gehman, et al. Interconnecting global threats: climate change, biodiversity loss, and infectious diseases. The LANCET -- Planetary Health. VOLUME 8, ISSUE 4. April 2024.
Sensitivity to climate change is widespread across zoonotic diseases
Sensitivity to climate change is widespread across zoonotic diseases
Artur Trebski, Lewis Gourlay, Rory Gibb, Natalie Imirzian, David W. Redding
doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.11.18.24317483
Abstract
Abstract
Climate change is expected to exacerbate infectious diseases, yet the climate sensitivity of zoonotic diseases (driven by spillover from animal reservoirs) is markedly understudied compared to vector-borne and water-borne infections. To address this gap, we conducted a global systematic review and quantitative synthesis to identify relationships between climatic indicators (temperature, precipitation, humidity) and zoonotic disease risk metrics worldwide. We identified 185 studies from 55 countries, describing 547 measures across 51 diseases, with most studies testing linear (n=166) rather than nonlinear (n=23) relationships. We found evidence of climate sensitivity across diverse zoonotic diseases (significant non-zero relationships in 64.3% of temperature effects, 49.8% of precipitation effects, and 48.9% of humidity effects), but with broad variation in direction and strength. Positive effects of temperature and rainfall on disease risk were more common than negative effects (39.1% vs. 25.2% and 30.5% vs. 19.2% of all records, respectively). These studies were predominantly located in areas expected to have substantial increases in annual mean temperature (>1.5°C in 93% of studies) and rainfall (>25 mm in 46% of studies) by 2041–2070. Notably, the most consistent relationship was between temperature and vector-borne zoonoses (50% of Positive effects, mean Hedge’s g = 0.31). Overall, our analyses provide evidence that climate sensitivity is common across zoonoses, likely leading to substantial yet complex effects of future climate change on zoonotic burden. Finally, we highlight the need for future studies to use biologically appropriate models, rigorous space-time controls, consider causal perspectives and address taxonomic and geographic biases to allow a robust consensus of climate-risk relationships to emerge.
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.11.18.24317483v1.full
Background: Since the Industrial Revolution, humanity has amassed great wealth and
achieved unprecedented material prosperity. These advances have come, however, at
great cost to the planet. They are guided by an economic model that focuses almost
exclusively on short-term gain, while ignoring natural capital and human capital. They
have relied on the combustion of vast quantities of fossil fuels, massive consumption of
the earth’s resources, and production and environmental release of enormous quantities
of chemicals, pesticides, fertilizers, and plastics. They have caused climate change,
pollution, and biodiversity loss, the “Triple Planetary Crisis”. They are responsible for more
than 9 million premature deaths per year and for widespread disease – impacts that fall
disproportionately upon the poor and the vulnerable.
The effects of climate change on human health are increasingly evident. Extreme weather events such as ice storms and tornadoes have caused traumatic human injuries. Changes in climate have been associated with migration of animals and insects that carry disease, resulting in emergence of certain infections in geographic areas not previously known to be associated with these infectious diseases. Climate change can adversely affect mental health, such as when it forces human migration or threatens livelihood, such as for people working in agriculture whose employment is negatively affected by flooding or drought. (Climate Change and Health
Mary M. McDermott and Kirsten Bibbins-Domingo JAMA. Published online January 4, 2024. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.27809)
Kristie L. Ebi1; Jeremy J. Hess, 1 Introduction to JAMA Climate Change and Health Series JAMA. Published online January 4, 2024. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.25878January 4, 2024
How should New Zealand’s health social and community systems be organised, in the context of a climate emergency? A research project undertaken by Te Weu researchers with a team from Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland that investigated the impacts of the extreme weather events in January and February 2023 on communities in Tairāwhiti and Hawkes Bay, with a focus on health and wellbeing.
International (British) Journal of Science and Medicine
Collection on the Environmental Impacts on Infectious Diseases
Countdown on Health and Climate Change
Countdown on Health and Climate Change
The diagram above shows the relationship between human activity and our health clearly.
The diagram above shows the relationship between human activity and our health clearly.
Pandemics result from destruction of nature, say UN and WHO
Pandemics result from destruction of nature, say UN and WHO
Damian Carrington Environment editor 3 hrs ago (17 June, 2020)
© Provided by The Guardian Photograph: Alamy
Pandemics such as coronavirus are the result of humanity’s destruction of nature, according to leaders at the UN, WHO and WWF International, and the world has been ignoring this stark reality for decades.
The illegal and unsustainable wildlife trade as well as the devastation of forests and other wild places were still the driving forces behind the increasing number of diseases leaping from wildlife to humans, the leaders told the Guardian.
They are calling for a green and healthy recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, in particular by reforming destructive farming and unsustainable diets.
A WWF report, also published on Wednesday, warns: “The risk of a new [wildlife-to-human] disease emerging in the future is higher than ever, with the potential to wreak havoc on health, economies and global security.”
WWF’s head in the UK said post-Brexit trade deals that fail to protect nature would leave Britain “complicit in increasing the risk of the next pandemic”.
High-level figures have issued a series of warnings since March, with the world’s leading biodiversity experts saying even more deadly disease outbreaks are likely in future unless the rampant destruction of the natural world is rapidly halted.
Earlier in June, the UN environment chief and a leading economist said Covid-19 was an “SOS signal for the human enterprise” and that current economic thinking did not recognise that human wealth depends on nature’s health.
“We have seen many diseases emerge over the years, such as Zika, Aids, Sars and Ebola and they all originated from animal populations under conditions of severe environmental pressures,” said Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, head of the UN convention on biological diversity, Maria Neira, the World Health Organization director for environment and health, and Marco Lambertini, head of WWF International, in the Guardian article.
With coronavirus, “these outbreaks are manifestations of our dangerously unbalanced relationship with nature”, they said. “They all illustrate that our own destructive behaviour towards nature is endangering our own health – a stark reality we’ve been collectively ignoring for decades.
“Worryingly, while Covid-19 has given us yet another reason to protect and preserve nature, we have seen the reverse take place. From the Greater Mekong, to the Amazon and Madagascar, alarming reports have emerged of increased poaching, illegal logging and forest fires, while many countries are engaging in hasty environmental rollbacks and cuts in funding for conservation. This all comes at a time when we need it most.
“We must embrace a just, healthy and green recovery and kickstart a wider transformation towards a model that values nature as the foundation for a healthy society. Not doing so, and instead attempting to save money by neglecting environmental protection, health systems, and social safety nets, has already proven to be a false economy. The bill will be paid many times over.”
© Provided by The Guardian A man walks past a poster warning people in Guangdong province, China, that consuming wildlife is illegal. Photograph: Alex Plavevski/EPA
The WWF report concludes the key drivers for diseases that move from wild animals to humans are the destruction of nature, the intensification of agriculture and livestock production, as well as the trading and consumption of high-risk wildlife.
The report urges all governments to introduce and enforce laws to eliminate the destruction of nature from supply chains of goods and on the public to make their diets more sustainable.
Beef, palm oil and soy are among the commodities frequently linked to deforestation and scientists have said avoiding meat and dairy products is the single biggest way for people to reduce their environmental impact on the planet.
Tanya Steele, the head of WWF UK, said the post-Brexit trade deals must protect nature: “We cannot be complicit in increasing the risk of the next pandemic. We need strong legislation and trade deals that stop us importing food that is the result of rampant deforestation or whose production ignores poor welfare and environmental standards in producer countries. The government has a golden opportunity to make transformative, world-leading change happen.”
The WWF report said 60-70% of the new diseases that have emerged in humans since 1990 came from wildlife. Over the same period, 178m hectares of forest have been cleared, equivalent to more than seven times the area of the UK.
Floods - Health Impact
Access to Medical Insurance
Climate Change and Health - Human Displacement (Lancet)
Warming the planet and wreaking havoc on our health in the process, they’re responsible for 45% of global warming to date.
GLOBAL HEALTH--GENERAL
Key messages
The concept of planetary health is based on the understanding that human health and human civilisation depend on flourishing natural systems and the wise stewardship of those natural systems. However, natural systems are being degraded to an extent unprecedented in human history.
Environmental threats to human health and human civilisation will be characterised by surprise and uncertainty. Our societies face clear and potent dangers that require urgent and transformative actions to protect present and future generations.
The present systems of governance and organisation of human knowledge are inadequate to address the threats to planetary health. We call for improved governance to aid the integration of social, economic, and environmental policies and for the creation, synthesis, and application of interdisciplinary knowledge to strengthen planetary health.
Solutions lie within reach and should be based on the redefinition of prosperity to focus on the enhancement of quality of life and delivery of improved health for all, together with respect for the integrity of natural systems. This endeavour will necessitate that societies address the drivers of environmental change by promoting sustainable and equitable patterns of consumption, reducing population growth, and harnessing the power of technology for change.
2.
Governance for planetary health and sustainable development, Written by former NZ Prime Minister, Helen Clark.
(emphasis added)
The landmark report of The Rockefeller Foundation–Lancet Commission on Planetary Health 1 is a clear and compelling articulation of the inextricable link between human health and environmental change. The report explores an array of complex, interlinked elements of concern, from environmental tipping points to the impacts of invasive species and the importance of protected areas. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) recognises planetary health as critical to achieving sustainable development across the economic, social, and environmental spheres—this ethos underpins our Strategic Plan for 2014–17.2
The Commission's report comes at an important time. It is released just before the UN General Assembly is due to adopt the post-2015 development agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This is just one of four major global processes this year. Disaster risk reduction, financing for development, and climate change are also being tackled at major summits. Agreements in all these areas should encourage UN entities to “strengthen their collaborative mechanisms to ensure optimum coherence in tackling the threats to planetary health”, as The Rockefeller Foundation–Lancet Commission on Planetary Health notes.1 Indeed, decision making and accountability at international and national levels would be enhanced by following through on the recommendations of the Commission.
Implementing the Commission's comprehensive action framework to safeguard planetary and human health requires strengthening resilience and governance capacity. This objective is reflected in the proposed SDGs. Individual, community, and institutional strengths must be built on to prevent, mitigate the impacts of, and learn from shocks of any type—internal or external, natural or man-made, economic, health-related, political, or social. Strengthened resilience to such challenges needs improved governance capacities for implementing long-term, innovative, and multisectoral risk reduction. Public institutions will need to become more effective, accountable, and responsive to the needs of all, especially the poorest and most vulnerable.
The Commission highlights multiple influences on planetary and human health, many of which relate to governance, including international trade and domestic policies that have an adverse effect on human and environmental health. Whole of government approaches can build countries' capacity to participate effectively in bilateral and multilateral trade negotiations to advance social, economic, and environmental interests together.
Strong intersectoral governance helps policy makers understand how economic, social, and environmental policies jointly impact on health, and vice versa. Trade-related laws and policies, combined with domestic tax regimes and regulation, can serve to maintain access to quality, affordable health technologies, or disincentivise demand for alcohol, tobacco, refined sugars, and ultra-processed foods. As the Commission points out, these products harm the health of the planet and its people. Their production results in higher greenhouse gas emissions, land use change, and agrochemical pollution. There is a large opportunity for progress in this area. In 2013, only 3% of countries had taxes on high-fat foods.3 Conversely, the International Monetary Fund estimates that fossil fuel industry subsidies in 2015 amount to US$5·3 trillion.4
Another governance priority is to encourage the private sector to protect the environment and human health as part of doing business. Private sector enterprise and economic growth need not come at the cost of the environment and public health. UNDP's work to integrate HIV and gender-related issues into environmental impact assessments of large-scale capital projects in 14 countries in sub-Saharan Africa is an example of how economic and social objectives can be integrated into business design.5 Future work will address malaria prevention and control and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Given the links between inequities, poor health, and development, making capital projects health-sensitive and ensuring that their benefits are accrued by all can advance inclusive economic growth and sustainable human development.
The recent outbreak of Ebola virus disease in west Africa, which the Commission cites as a powerful example of the immediate and alarming health impacts of environmental changes, is a powerful reminder of the weaknesses of siloed, sector-based governance. Strengthening systems for health and decentralised governance is essential to build resilient communities and prevent and mitigate the impact of health crises. Future responses to health and other crisis must invest more in supporting communities as agents for response and recovery, while engaging other sectors such as communications, banking, 6 and transport.
UNDP is playing its part in these endeavours. Since 2010, we have helped more than 150 countries to scale up climate change adaptation; manage ecosystems and biodiversity; improve water and oceans' governance; introduce affordable, accessible, and clean energy solutions; and manage chemicals and waste sustainably.7 In all of its work, UNDP believes that empowering communities to identify solutions and scale up local innovations is an effective way of supporting improved health and sustainable development. In Sudan, for example, UNDP is helping communities to address climate risks and food security. Incomes among the 20 000 beneficiaries in one initiative—more than half in women-headed households—have increased by 20%, helping to improve education and health outcomes and natural resource stewardship in their communities.8
The report of The Rockefeller Foundation–Lancet Commission on Planetary Health reminds us that sustainable development requires holistic approaches. Advancing social, economic, and environmental goals together—underpinned by resilient systems and improved governance—is at the heart of the proposed new SDGs and UNDP's work. Now is the time to act. The health of all people and our planet depends on that.
I am Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme. I declare no competing interests.
Almost daily headlines about insect-borne diseases menacing the U.S. highlight the expanding threat posed by mosquitoes and ticks.
Why it matters: Longer, hotter, summers and changes in land use can spread diseases to new places, or compound the misery where they already exist.
Global warming is "changing where mosquitoes and ticks live, and thus what diseases are moving around in different regions," CDC director Mandy Cohen said Wednesday.
Driving the news: The death of a New Hampshire resident from eastern equine encephalitis, or EEE, brought the risk home this week.
The CDC has also warned this summer about an increased risk of dengue fever, which is spread by the same type of mosquitoes that carry the Zika virus and chikungunya.
West Nile Virus — recently blamed for the hospitalization of Anthony Fauci — has become a perennial threat throughout much of the continental U.S. The same goes for Lyme disease, which was once viewed as a summertime nuisance and now is the most common vector-borne illness in the Northern Hemisphere.
Zoom in: In the U.S. in particular, experts say the environment for insects has become far more hospitable with temperatures rising further north.
"We're seeing diseases that used to be "tropical." Well, now parts of the U.S. can count," Megan Ranney, dean of the Yale School of Public Health, told Axios.
"Ticks are not dying over the winter because it's not getting cold enough, so it's making Lyme disease spread. And then we're seeing other tick-borne diseases, like Powassan virus, start to spread. It is a predictable but potentially deadly consequence of climate change."
Introduction Climate change poses substantial and multifaceted risks to human health, representing a complex and interconnected challenge that necessitates urgent attention.1,2Rising global temperatures contribute to extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, droughts, storms, wind intensification, and floods. Such events can harm individuals and disrupt the functioning of health-care systems.3 Furthermore, these impacts are not distributed equally; vulnerable populations, including low-income and minoritised communities and those without adequate access to health care, are disproportionately affected, as evidenced by globaltrends in increased infant mortality and reduced life expectancy corresponding with increased temperatures across 170 countries between 1960 and 2016.4 Addressing the health consequences of climate change and ecosystem degradation requires interdisciplinary collaboration, policy interventions, and public health initiatives to enhance adaptive capacities against environmental risks. Such efforts can ensure intergenerational equity and safeguard the health of present and future generations. Although climate mitigation remains a global priority, continued warming is expected even under the most optimistic scenarios. Existing public health information systems do not include primary exposure data related to climate and environmental change, inhibiting an understanding of critically important drivers of ill health. Public health systems must therefore adapt urgently to face this challenge.
Personal ViewVolume 9, Issue 8101293August 2025Open access Climate-smart public health for global health resilience
Page updated
Report abuse