US Climate and Health Alliance

A review of the consequences of global climate change on human health

Abstract

The impact of climate change has been significant enough to endanger human health both directly and indirectly via heat stress, degraded air quality, rising sea levels, food and water security, extreme weather events (e.g., floods, droughts, earthquakes, volcano eruptions, tsunamis, hurricanes, etc.), vulnerable shelter, and population migration. The deterioration of environmental conditions may facilitate the transmission of diarrhea, vector-borne and infectious diseases, cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses, malnutrition, etc. Indirect effects of climate change such as mental health problems due to stress, loss of homes, economic instability, and forced migration are also unignorably important. Children, the elderly, and communities living in poverty are among the most vulnerable of the harmful effects due to climate change. In this article, we have reviewed the scientific evidence for the human health impact of climate change and analyzed the various diseases in association with changes in the atmospheric environment and climate conditions.

Resource Type
Peer-reviewed article
Authors
Ki-Hyun Kim Ehsanul Kabir Shamin Ara Jahan
Resource URL
http://www.researchgate.net/publication/265735977_A_Review_of_the_Consequences_of_Global_Climate_Change_on_Human_Health
Publication
Journal of Environmental Science and Health. Part C, Environmental Carcinogenesis & Ecotoxicology Reviews
Journal Abbr.
J Environ Sci Health C Environ Carcinog Ecotoxicol Rev
Volume
32
Issue
3
Pages
299-318
Date
2014
DOI
10.1080/10590501.2014.941279
ISSN
1532-4095
Organization Type
Academic
Health and Human Impacts
Infectious disease Overview/general
Other
Health surveillance

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