Climate change is reversing medical progress, posing a significant threat to human health, experts say.
Humanity has made substantial advancements in medicine, with researchers continuously discovering new vaccines and treatment methods at a rapid pace. However, climate change is also causing a dual crisis of climate and health, threatening the wellbeing of people around the world.
With rising temperatures and humidity levels, many diseases that were previously well-controlled, such as malaria and Zika transmitted by mosquitoes, are at risk of resurfacing.
Reversing Medical Advances
In addition to the risk of outbreaks of mosquito-borne infectious diseases, the true impact of climate change on public health is even more significant.
Among the many effects, heatwaves are causing temperatures to exceed human tolerable limits, leading to wildfires, increased extreme weather events, and water shortages. Notably, these impacts have been observed in all regions, from Qatar to Canada, the United States, and Malawi.
A 2023 study found that from 2010 to 2019, approximately 2 billion people worldwide were exposed to polluted air due to wildfires, reversing achievements in efforts to combat respiratory diseases. In the United States, researchers concluded that smoke from wildfires has eroded nearly a quarter of the progress made under the Clean Air Act of 1970.
Flooding has led to an increase in cholera outbreaks. (Photo: UN).
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has reported that flooding is causing cholera outbreaks at an “unprecedented” rate. In Pakistan, historic flooding in 2023 inundated one-third of the country. However, just a few months after the floods, the country recorded 987 cases of cholera. The actual number may be even higher, as only about 2% of the 1.4 million reported cases of diarrhea were tested.
From these numbers, experts are sounding the alarm that climate change is the greatest threat to human welfare and health.
“Every issue, from air pollution, increased extreme weather events to long-term climate changes, is harming human health,” shared Neil Buddy Shah, head of the Clinton Health Access Initiative.
Emerging New Challenges
A warming world is also giving rise to new diseases and modes of transmission, along with various other health threats. Heatwaves are causing an increase in deaths due to heatstroke. In 2023, Europe recorded at least 61,000 deaths attributed to summer heatwaves.
The effects of heat differ by region. Many communities are forced to migrate due to the impacts of extreme weather. These are vulnerable communities that bear the brunt of economic and health impacts from heatwaves.
According to the New York Times, approximately 8% of malaria cases are among refugees, who lack adequate living conditions, shelter, sanitation services, and access to quality water.
Drought poses numerous health threats to humans. (Photo: News18).
Under the impacts of drought or flooding, migrants often move to other areas, congregating around smaller water sources. This is one reason why water sources are more susceptible to pollution and contamination at a faster rate, leading to the spread of various diseases.
Scientists believe that environmental pollution also contributes to the spread of other diseases in humans, such as Ebola and COVID-19. According to Larry Brilliant, an American epidemiologist who helped eradicate smallpox, deforestation is bringing humans closer to wildlife that carries pathogens or viruses.
The World Needs to Unite
As the impacts of climate change become increasingly apparent, the world is also paying more attention to this issue. Health experts view this as a positive signal for efforts to combat the climate crisis.
However, the WHO states that only about 5% of climate financing is allocated to health-related efforts in the fight against climate change.
“One issue is that we are declaring victory too soon with the achievements made in the health sector. This has led to a reduction in funding for health,” Buddy Shah warned.
Experts hope that people will pay more attention to the health aspects of this crisis. The 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28), held in Dubai (UAE) in December 2023, marked the first time Health Day was included on the agenda, contributing to community accountability and collaboration to address health challenges posed by climate change.
COP28 in Dubai achieved many positive outcomes, including the inclusion of Health Day on the agenda. (Photo: COP28).
At the event, parties endorsed the COP28 Declaration on climate and health, supported by over 120 countries and territories. This declaration calls for a comprehensive approach to address the health challenges posed by climate change.
One notable goal outlined in the COP28 Declaration on climate and health is to combat inequalities within and between countries, while pursuing policies aimed at accelerating the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals, including Goal 3 on health and well-being; reducing poverty; improving health and livelihoods; strengthening social protection systems, food security, and nutrition; ensuring access to clean energy, safe drinking water, and environmental sanitation for all; and striving for universal health coverage.
The COP28 Declaration on climate and health is the first major “victory” in efforts to increase global attention to the dual crisis stemming from climate change. Going forward, the world must continue to raise awareness and concern over these issues to ensure the welfare and robust development of all humanity.
