Climate and health: Within Planetary Boundaries

Climate change has been reported as one of the five most damaging or probable global risks which threaten the foundation of human health and well-being. It negatively impacts health in several ways, including causing death and illness from increasingly frequent extreme weather events, disruption of food systems, increases in zoonoses and food-, water- and vector-borne diseases, and mental health issues as well as social determinants of health. The vulnerable population are the most hit by the aftereffects of climate change which has translated into excessive morbidity and mortality. In addition, the devastating effects of climate change downplay the progress in development, global health, and poverty reduction made in the last fifty years and further widens existing health inequalities between and within populations. To strengthen our responses to the threats of climate change, engagement of health professionals is key. Health professionals are central to the resilience and adaption of health systems to the emerging threats. In addition, health professionals should recognize the need to address health problems in a sustainable way and appreciate the intersect between climate change, health, and other SDGs. This will enable them to draw up sustainable, evidence based and innovative strategies to address these concerns.

Additional Reading Material

Watts, N. (2021). The 2020 report of The Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: responding to converging crises. Lancet (London, England), 397(10269), 129–170. (Article)
World Health Organization. (2021). Climate change and health. (PDF)
World Health Organization. (2015). Biodiversity and Health. (PDF)
Kulkarni, Manisha A. (2022). Charting the evidence for climate change impacts on the global spread of malaria and dengue and adaptive responses: a scoping review of reviews. Globalization and health, 18(1), 1. (Article)