Climate change is affecting human health patterns
The occurrence of extreme weather events is
increasing as a result of climate change. Extreme heat events, floods and
precipitation variability are likely to injure people or even cause deaths. But
certainly extreme weather events or changing climate patterns can affect a
further crucial aspect – human health. Accompanied by a longer duration, frequent
occurrences, and major impacts of events, diseases are more likely to increase
and spread. Given the fact that appearance of diseases is linked to a changing
environment pattern, it is obvious that “human health has always been
influenced by climate change and weather” (U.S.
Global Change Research Program, 2016).
Figure 1: Changing patterns of various
factors due to temperature rises. Source: Reyer C. et
al., 2015.
Examining figure 1, it is evident, that the
occurrence of extreme events and diseases, are rising along with the
temperature. The impact on health is intrinsically related to growing
temperature extremes and as well as monitored factors.
Why is human health vulnerable to climate change?
There are direct and indirect effects of
climate change operating on our environment (ClimDev-Africa,
2013). As we perceive the consequences of natural disasters, rather
unnoticed indirect effects, such as ecological change, land use change, air
pollution and water quality can affect human health. WHO reports that, since
the 1960s, the number of weather-related natural diseases has increased by more
that 300% (WHO,
2016).
The changing climate is affecting various approaches
for spread diseases:
Food borne diseases:
It is estimated that 1.7 million deaths in
Africa are caused by malnutrition every year (ClimDev-Africa,
2013). Extreme weather events are likely to exacerbate the food supply. Storms
or heavy rain events can destroy crops and lead to crop failure or interrupt
the transportation. The lack of nutrition due to climate change is increasing
and evokes further victims of malnutrition.
Water borne diseases:
Diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms,
which are transmitted by water. An extreme flooding event can transmit these microorganisms
into human settlements, as they are flooded, and occur certain diseases, such
as cholera or dysentery. This effect is intensifying respectively to a growing
risk of flood events (McMichael
et al., 2006).
Vector borne diseases:
Rising temperature or changing rain patterns
can alter the occurrence of vector borne diseases, transmitted by insects like
mosquitoes, flies or ticks. Climate sensitive diseases like malaria increase
due to inadequate sanitation or flooding (McMichael
et al., 2006).
Respiratory diseases:
Greenhouse gases affect our climate and are
responsible for global warming. Due to this they can affect human health. The
timing of pollen is changing and air particles of pollution are ingested to our
lugs. This can cause asthma attacks or allergic reactions. Children and elderly
people suffer in particular, as they are more likely to be affected (McMichael
et al., 2006).
Figure 2: Distribution on mean temperature.
Source: McMichael
et al., 2006.
Considering figure 2, the originally
baseline of the mean temperature, ensuring from the scenarios with both
increasing mean temperature and variability, is postponed in direction of the higher
temperatures. This leads to an increasing occurrence of direct or indirect
diseases. The mean temperature is rising and the risk of extreme events that
can cause diseases is growing.
Adaptations to prevent further negative developments
Impacts on human health can be devastating.
It is essential to support those who are affected by human health impacts.
Organisation such as WHO draft a work plan to undermine health impacts of
climate change. For instance:
-
Partnerships: Partner agencies
are necessary to support a proper heath system and to encourage the population
to participate in such a system (WHO, 2016).
-
Awareness raising: One of the
most important approaches is to raise awareness, as people then start acting to
change their behaviour, if they believe in the alteration of their circumstances.
It is required to provide information of climate change and its threats to
convince people to change their behaviour (WHO, 2016).
-
Science and evidence: If we
know how and why patterns are changing, we have the ability to alter them. A
science based evidence helps us to understand these questions (WHO, 2016).
-
Support for implementation of
the public health response to climate change: Most affected countries are not
able to improve their health systems. Therefore, they need organisations to
assist them by building up a state capacity to reduce their vulnerability (WHO, 2016).
