Unexpected consequences of climate change for human health

Unexpected consequences of climate change for human health shutterstock
Katerina Belousova

Children, the elderly and the poor are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses

One of the main side effects of climate change is the impact on human health, which must be considered as part of the economic consequences of such change.

For example, rising temperatures have expanded the range of Lyme disease-carrying ticks, and the incidence of the disease in the U.S. doubled from 1991 to 2013, Omar Al-Ajaji, senior climate change and sustainability consultant at EY reports on LinkedIn.

So in the US, extreme weather events have led to the death of more than 200 people in the past two years, and 7,415 deaths were associated with excessive natural heat from 1999 to 2010.

Also, during forest fires, respiratory syndrome increases by 25%, and extreme precipitation contributes to the spread of water-borne diseases.

Children, the elderly and the poor are more vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. 150,000 Americans could die by the end of this century from extreme heat caused by climate change.

Additionally, Superstorm Sandy in October 2012 killed 159 people.

Earlier, EcoPolitic wrote, that outbreaks of viral diseases such as monkeypox or Lassa fever will continue to occur more frequently more often due to climate change.

As previously EcoPolitic reported, research by Georgetown University, USA, showed that climate change increases the risk of infectious diseases, caused by viruses that spread from animals to humans.

Related
Europe is warming faster than the rest of the world – Copernicus report
Europe is warming faster than the rest of the world – Copernicus report

Prolonged heat waves exceeding 30°C have been recorded even in subarctic regions

Climate change is making people poorer. How much will prices rise due to global warming?
Climate change is making people poorer. How much will prices rise due to global warming?

The easiest way is to calculate the impact on food prices, and the outlook is bleak

The G7 decided to gloss over global warming during the talks to appease the U.S. and Trump
The G7 decided to gloss over global warming during the talks to appease the U.S. and Trump

While all other countries were represented by ministers, the United States sent a lower-ranking official

Due to climate change, southern Ukraine will lose its agricultural potential, while the role of the west will grow
Due to climate change, southern Ukraine will lose its agricultural potential, while the role of the west will grow

Extreme heat and minimal rainfall are forcing farmers to choose more resilient crops