The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on European policymakers to implement immediate measures to prepare for the health impacts of climate change.
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The aftermath of Hurricane Jeanne in Haiti |
In a statement in Montreal, Canada, the WHO highlighted the impacts of climate change that have already been observed.
– The heatwave in 2003 in Western Europe resulted in 35,000 deaths, marking it as the most significant climate-related event affecting the healthcare system in Europe.
– Healthcare and social services, such as those in France, were unprepared, particularly regarding the impacts on the elderly.
WHO is also exploring other indications of how climate change affects human health.
– Infectious diseases are spreading northward as the climate becomes warmer; for example, skin allergies caused by insect-borne infections have emerged in Sweden and the mountainous regions of the Czech Republic.
– The organization concludes that malaria is not currently the biggest threat in Europe.
– Allergies are another significant concern.
– The average length of allergy seasons in Europe has increased by 10 to 11 days over the past 30 years, altering the timing and intensity of pollen seasons. This significantly impacts those affected by allergies.
WHO asserts that governments need to shift their approach from reactive to proactive measures. They should clearly identify potential threats and protect citizens from environmental changes.
