Climate change is increasingly affecting human health as a result of both the direct and indirect health effects of global warming. Direct effects include exposure to extreme weather events such as heat waves, exposure to diseases, and the risk that comes with extreme weather events. Indirect effects include disruption to economic and social activity, which can impact health if for example it reduces people's ability to earn a livelihood. Other health related effects arise from environmental degradation, diseases carried by vectors, food and waterborne infections, changes to food security, and impacts on mental health. In some cases there can be health benefits, but in the clear majority of observed and predicted cases, the health impacts of climate change are negative.
“Climate change is the greatest threat to global health in the 21st Century”
"WHO calls for urgent action to protect health from climate change – Sign the call". www.who.int. World Health Organization. 2015. Retrieved 2020-04-19.
Climate change is leading to increased infections from diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. Climate change can have significant impact on mental health. It can reduce the availability of drinking water, and can effect the production of food, whether this is by growing crops or raising livestock. In some areas, the effect on crops has been positive. In other areas, yields have fallen, and what crops are being produced have been found to be less nutritious.
In the United States, the impact of climate change on public health had been examined by national agencies as far back as 1989. Globally, the health effects of climate change is increasingly a matter of concern for the international public health policy community. Studies have found that communication on climate change is more likely to lead to engagement by the public if it is framed as a health concern, rather than just as an environmental matter.
