Health at the heart of climate talks – 8/27/2023 – Marcia Castro

This year, regardless of location, it is impossible to read the news and not come across an article about climate anomalies and their consequences. Waves of heat are felt in both hemispheres, in some cases with temperatures never recorded for the time of year. Fires, cyclones, droughts, floods, hail and low humidity affect different parts of the planet.

Although we are facing El Niño, which is a natural phenomenon, the magnitude of these anomalies is intensified by climate changes induced by human action. The speed of these transformations is unprecedented in history and poses a risk to all forms of life on Earth.

Climate change is one of the greatest global health challenges of this century. The consequences for health are already felt in various parts of the planet and affect children, adolescents, adults and the elderly, that is, the entire life cycle.

Human health is impacted in several ways. The transmission of about 58% of known infectious diseases is vulnerable to changes in climate. Morbidity and mortality risks from noncommunicable diseases and mental disorders may also increase.

Extreme events increase the risk of accidents and losses in agriculture (affecting food security) and cause an increase in waterborne diseases and forced displacement. Furthermore, population displacement can exacerbate social crises and conflicts and facilitate the spread of pathogens.

Air pollution exacerbates climate change and affects the prevalence of asthma and cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Extreme heat can be lethal and will be one of the future determinants of human survival conditions in parts of the planet if the goals of the Paris Agreement are not achieved.

Between 1991 and 2018, 37% of global deaths due to summer heat were caused by human-caused climate change. In Brazil the burden was even higher, 67%.

The health system is also affected both by possible damage to infrastructure due to extreme events, and by the increased demand for care due to the consequences of climate change.

Considering only extreme events, an Atlas published by the World Meteorological Organization estimates that between 1970 and 2021 almost 12,000 weather-related disasters caused 2 million deaths worldwide with an economic loss of 4.3 trillion dollars. In South America, the loss was 115.2 billion dollars, 45% of which in Brazil.

A report published in the Lancet magazine shows that the effects of climate change on the health of the population of South America are getting worse and disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable. Despite the worrying scenario, there is a lack of detailed adaptation plans and investment in actions to face climate change.

In addition to health impacts, climate change may jeopardize innovations in disease control. A study published in the journal Nature Climate Change showed that populations of mosquitoes infected with the Wolbachia bacteria (which help control dengue) can decline in a scenario of daily temperatures around 35 degrees.

It seems obvious that health should be at the center of climate conversations. However, COP28, which will start at the end of November in the United Arab Emirates, will be the first to organize a day dedicated to health.

Focus on health is necessary! It is necessary to disseminate what is already known, quantify the effects that have not yet been measured and mobilize the government and civil society in the search for mitigation and adaptation measures.

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