Understanding the health impacts of the climate crisis

The climate crisis is one of the biggest threats to human health today. A new report explored how rising global temperature and weather systems are affecting people and what we can do to reduce the risks. 

By understanding how climate change affects us and what causes it, we can encourage local, national and world leaders to take action and reduce its health impacts. 

Background

Climate change is the gradual and long-term change to global temperature and weather systems. It is mainly caused by human behaviour and activities such as burning fossil fuels, farming and cutting down forests. These activities increase the amount of greenhouse gases in the air, such as carbon dioxide and methane. These gases build up in the atmosphere and cause global warming. 

This affects everyone. It leads to hotter weather, more extreme events like heatwaves and floods, and changes to the air we breathe and the food we eat. These changes can seriously harm our health, especially for people with lung conditions, older adults and those living in low- and middle-income countries. 

What did the report find?

The report highlights ways that climate change is already affecting health and how these risks are likely to increase if action is not taken. Some of the most direct effects include: 

• Extreme heat, which makes it easier for infections to spread and can make symptoms worse for people with lung conditions. 

• Smoke from wildfires, which adds to air pollution, raises the risk of lung disease and triggers breathing problems. 

• Droughts, caused by long periods without rainfall, which reduce access to clean drinking water and increase the risk of illness. 

• Flooding is made worse by rising sea levels, which can damage health services and delay people getting the care or medicine they need. 

Climate change also puts pressure on the basic things we rely on to stay well: 

• Food systems are disrupted by heat, drought and extreme weather, making healthy food harder to grow and access. 

• Extreme weather events can make it harder for some people to access hospitals and other healthcare facilities, meaning some patients might struggle to get the treatment they need on time. 

• Clean water becomes scarcer in some areas, increasing the risk of illness caused by poor sanitation. 

• Diseases like malaria are spreading into new areas as warmer, wetter conditions allow the insects that carry them to survive in more places. 

People with long-term health conditions are especially affected, as changes in air quality, temperature and access to care can make their symptoms worse or harder to manage. 

What can we do about it?

The report makes it clear that while the effects of climate change on health are already happening, action now can reduce future harm.  

• Reducing pollution from fossil fuels and planting more trees is especially important, as this would slow warming and improve air quality. This would bring immediate health benefits. 
• Stronger, more prepared health systems that can support people during extreme weather events and public health emergencies. 
• Health professionals have a key role. By understanding climate-related risks, supporting their communities and pushing for fairer, healthier policies, they can help lead the response. 

A healthier, more equal future is possible but only if action is taken now. To learn more, you can read the full article in the Future Healthcare Journal: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2514664525000190