Climate change to increase burden on health systems: Report

Hyderabad The new review paper, The Impacts of Climate Change on Health, identifies the extent to which increasing emissions, extreme weather and temperatures elevate health risks, from infectious disease to malnutrition, and assesses the associated health burden. It concludes that the health burden will exceed the level of demand that health systems are prepared for.

Today, nearly 13 million deaths per year are already linked to environmental factors such as air pollution, infectious diseases and extreme weather events. Within that, heat is a major issue. By the year 2100, over 40 per cent of the world's population will be exposed to extreme heat episodes. The yearly burden of temperature-related mortality alone is projected to reach 4.6 million – on par with the current impact of obesity and diet-related illness.

Communities everywhere are already experiencing first-hand the health impacts of climate change, which come from flooding, food and water insecurity, climate-sensitive diseases and more. Examples include, India faces significant risks, as the world's second most populated country, from climate change's impact on agricultural productivity. The negative effects of weather variability on food security could have serious implications for health - for example child stunting is projected to increase by 35 per cent by 2050.

Kris Licht, president health and chief customer officer, Reckitt, said: "It is apparent from our research that the health of our planet and the health of our communities are intricately linked. As well as supporting consumers in practicing self-care, through providing access to the highest quality hygiene, wellness and nourishment, we also understand our responsibility to minimise the health risks associated with a changing environment. This includes taking steps to reduce our carbon footprint."

He adds, "There is only one way to solve this environmental crisis, and that is through bringing the global community together. As Glasgow welcomes over 190 world leaders to COP26, the impacts of climate change need to become a core part of public health. We're working with governments and communities around the world to help deliver this."

Catherine Machalaba, senior scientist, EcoHealth Alliance, said: "While the physical impacts of climate change on infrastructure are the most direct and visible, the health impacts of climate inaction will create a pandemic of climate-induced health impacts that no vaccine can solve. The health and economic burden are rapidly growing, requiring an urgent prioritisation of climate- smart Covid-19 pandemic recovery efforts to adequately prevent and prepare for the climate crisis. Taking action to protect the health of people and the planet now will cost far less than trying to cope with and repair damages later."