Weathering the Storm: Climate Change and Its Impact on Human Health

Summer is upon us! It is the season for cool drinks, ice creams and cold showers. During the hot summer days, you may have noticed heat-related illnesses around you such as heat exhaustion or heatstroke due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures. This can be related to the impact climate change has on human health. In fact, climate change has been called the greatest danger to global health in the 21st century. It can undo years of progress in health care worldwide and put more strain on health systems.

Climate change and our health are like jigsaw pieces that fit together in unexpected ways. Although the empirical impact of climate change on human health is difficult to determine, it is undoubtedly present. Researchers are beginning to grasp how factors like increasing temperatures and shifting weather patterns contribute to an increased risk of illness or injury.

It is time to change how we understand climate change. Not only does climate change impact the environment around us, but it also has an impact on our bodies as it starts to throw things out of balance. Consider this: when the temperature rises, our perspiration increases, our sense of exhaustion increases, and the likelihood of heat-related diseases rises.

However, that is only the very beginning. As temperatures rise, there is also an increase in the number of insects that transmit various diseases such as increased presence of mosquitoes leading to a rise in malaria incidence. Another adverse effect of climate change is that it makes wildfires more likely in various parts of the world, which can make the air dirty and make it harder to breathe, especially for people with heart or lung problems. This pollution from wildfires can make people sick and even cause long-term damage to their health.

There is also less clean water and a rise in foodborne infections due to climate change, particularly for children under five. Furthermore, intense heat can be fatal, particularly for elderly individuals, pregnant persons and newborns. According to the World Health Organisation, ‘recent research attributes 37% of heat-related deaths to human-induced climate change.’ Scientists believe that if we don't act quickly, the impacts of climate change on human health will only get worse.

Further, climate caused stress and anxiety can have a negative impact not just on physical health but also on mental well-being. In addition, certain groups are more sensitive to the effects of climate change than others. These groups include women, children, minorities, the elderly, those living in poverty, migrants, and people who are already dealing with health problems.

People who work outside, like farmers and construction workers, are also at risk of getting sick from the heat and dehydration, which can lead to long-term health problems like kidney disease. This affects both men and women, but it may affect them differently. Additionally, productivity declines in hot weather, impacting industries reliant on outdoor labour and causing economic losses.

The intersection between climate change and health goes much beyond affecting people’s homes and lives. Consider yourself in a developing country's little town, where families already find it difficult to make ends meet. Imagine now that the region is attacked by a sudden heat wave or flash flood. In addition to the immediate threats and injuries posed by these calamities, individuals also have to contend with the difficult task of getting access to healthcare. Many people cannot afford the urgently needed medical care, and the already overburdened local clinic is overburdened.

Thus, climate change affects more than simply melting ice caps and increasing sea levels; it also affects actual individuals who are trying to support their families and maintain their health. It poses a dire threat to human health, disrupting access to healthcare and exacerbating existing inequalities. From rural communities to urban centers, extreme weather events and air pollution wreak havoc, particularly affecting vulnerable populations. Urgent action is needed to mitigate these effects and safeguard public health. By addressing climate change, we not only protect the planet but also ensure a healthier, more equitable future for all.

At Swasti, we recognise this crucial intersection and are pioneering climate-health solutions. Click here to learn more about our work in this domain -  https://swasti.org/climate-x-health

Author - Taitreyi Biswas
Editors - Kamalkoli Majumdar & Siddharth Chaitanya