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Nov 7, 2022 · Climate change impacts human health in both direct and indirect ways. Extreme heat waves, rising sea level, changes in precipitation resulting in flooding and droughts, and intense hurricanes can directly cause injury, illness, and even death.
- Overview
- National Health Topics
- Regional Health Impacts
Climate change, together with other natural and human-made health stressors, influences human health and disease in numerous ways. Some existing health threats will intensify and new health threats will emerge. Not everyone is equally at risk. Important considerations include age, economic resources, and location.
In the U.S., public health can be affected by disruptions of physical, biological, and ecological systems, including disturbances originating here and elsewhere. The health effects of these disruptions include increased respiratory and cardiovascular disease, injuries and premature deaths related to extreme weather events, changes in the prevalence and geographical distribution of food- and water-borne illnesses and other infectious diseases, and threats to mental health.
For more information on the health effects of climate change, visit the Third National Climate Assessment’s Health Chapterexternal icon, Fourth National Climate Assessment’s Health Chapterexternal icon, and the USGCRP Climate and Health Assessmentexternal icon.
For more on the effects of climate change on health in different regions, see “Preparing for the Regional Health Impacts of Climate Change in the United States.” pdf icon[PDF – 4 MB]
•Alaska
•Hawaii and US-Affiliated Pacific Islands
•Midwest
•Northeast
•Northern Great Plains
•Northwest
Oct 12, 2023 · Climate change impacts health both directly and indirectly, and is strongly mediated by environmental, social and public health determinants. Although it is unequivocal that climate change affects human health, it remains challenging to accurately estimate the scale and impact of many climate-sensitive health risks.
Feb 7, 2020 · Climate change is affecting some of the essential factors that influence human health, including: safety of shelter. air quality. quality, safety, and supply of drinking water. food...
- Jayne Leonard
Feb 28, 2022 · People’s health, lives and livelihoods, as well as property and critical infrastructure, including energy and transportation systems, are being increasingly adversely affected by hazards from heatwaves, storms, drought and flooding as well as slow-onset changes, including sea level rise.
Jul 18, 2023 · While the necessary health response is wide ranging, it can largely be encapsulated within three grand challenges: (i) promote actions that both reduce carbon emissions and improve health; (ii)...
Sep 9, 2021 · SCIENCE. EXPLAINER. Why climate change is still the greatest threat to human health. Polluted air and steadily rising temperatures are linked to health effects ranging from increased...
