Climate change is the most significant public health concern of the twenty-first century. Its direct and indirect impacts on human health are far-reaching, ranging from global warming to floods and outbreaks of infectious diseases. WHO estimates that approximately 250,000 deaths will be due to climate change between 2030 and 2050. That’s nerve-wracking, isn’t it?

Although no living being is safe from risks, climate change primarily affects individuals’ health. This article will give an insight into how climate change affects human health.

1. Outbreak of Infectious Diseases

Climate change is leading to unprecedented floods, forest fires, and droughts. These extreme events are perfect for infectious diseases to thrive. Changes in seasonal patterns, high temperature, and year-to-year variation in incidents thrive infectious diseases. 

Weather patterns around the world are changing. It increases the risk of the outbreak of vector-borne diseases such as dengue and Zika virus. Warm temperature increases the geographic spread of the virus. Moreover, increased rainfall also increases the chances of their suitable breeding. Since warmer seasons are extending, the disease transmission season is also increasing.

Secondly, climate change has accelerated the risk of water-borne diseases. Water-borne diseases are one of the leading causes of mortality among children. Storms, precipitation, and floods contaminate drinking water.

Besides, suitable environmental conditions - warm temperatures and high rainfall - are suitable for developing disease-causing bacteria. Studies have found that increased precipitation increases the number of cholera cases in Bangladesh, Zanzibar, and Fiji.

Environment plays a vital role in the transmission of food-borne diseases. With climate change, the risk of transmission has increased. An increase in air and water temperature elevates the potential of zoonotic pathogens. Moreover, irrigation using poor-quality water transfers bacteria to vegetation, affecting human health.

2. Climate Change and Food Security

The food system is one of the most prominent sectors affected by climate change, accounting for around 35% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Climate change is a severe threat to global food security. 

Observed climate change affects food security by increasing temperature and changing precipitation patterns. Furthermore, extreme events' frequency and intensity affect food production patterns. Although increased yield, an increased CO2 concentration affects the nutritional value of crops. 

Also, climate change induces food security through droughts, floods, and warm weather.

3. Climate Change and Mental Health

The physical impacts of climate change on human health have been seen. But do you know climate change is also linked to mental stress and disorders? Extreme climatic events increase post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and stress among people. But how does that link? Extreme weather conditions such as floods and forest fires sweep away all belongings. Loss of life and property affects the mental health of vulnerable populations. Experiencing these types of events causes stress and depression.

4. Heat Waves and Human Health

According to IPCC, high global heat is one of the leading causes of climate-related deaths. Global warming is the effect of climate change that comes with intense heat waves. People exposed to heat suffered from deadly illnesses and even death. According to USEPA, around 1300 deaths in the US are due to heat waves. High temperature contributes to heat strokes, heart attacks, and cardiovascular diseases.

Conclusion

The effects of climate change are enormous. Directly or indirectly, every individual is affected by climate change. From the outbreak of diseases to mental health and skin diseases, climate change is the culprit. However, individual response to disaster and a resilient mindset could help to cope with such events. Lastly, mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change on human health.