Impact of Climate Change on Health
Overview
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Research by the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that current climate variabibility impacts can be attributed to about five million extra cases of severe illness a year, as well as more than 150,000 additional deaths. By 2030, the number of climate-related diseases are expected to lead to increases in:
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heat-related deaths caused by heart failure;
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respiratory disorders;
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the spread of infectious diseases; and
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malnutrition from crop failures.
Countries with coastlines along the Indian and Pacific Oceans and sub-Saharan Africa are expected to suffer a disproportionate share of the extra health burden from climate change.
Extensive additional information is available at the WHO Climate Change Directory of References/Resources.
Adaptation projects should focus on reducing vulnerability and/or increasing the adaptive capacity of communities to the health impacts of climate change and variability. Projects are expected to encompass a suite of adaptation measures, including piloting measures, institutional strengthening, and/or capacity building. Projects should include at least two of these three elements.
Impact by region
The map above is based on findings by the World Health Organization and highlights expected climate change impacts on health, measured in millions of fatalities. Tropical regions, particularly those in Africa and Asia, are acutely vulnerable.
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