Climate change, human health, and epidemiological transition

Abstract

The health of populations depends on the availability of clean air, water, food, and sanitation, exposure to pathogens, toxins and environmental hazards, and numerous genetic, behavioral and social factors. For many thousands of years, human life expectancy was low, and population growth was slow. The development of technology-based civilizations facilitated what Abdel Omran called “epidemiological transition,” with increasing life expectancy and rapid population growth. To a large extent, the spectacular growth of human populations during the past two centuries was made possible by the energy extracted from fossil fuels. We have now learned, however, that greenhouse gases from fossil fuel combustion are warming the planet's surface, causing changes in oceanic and atmospheric systems, and disrupting weather and hydrological patterns. Climate change poses unprecedented threats to human health by impacts on food and water security, heat waves and droughts, violent storms, infectious disease, and rising sea levels. Whether or not humanity can reduce greenhouse gas emissions quickly enough to slow climate change to a rate that will allow societies to successfully adapt is not yet known. This essay reviews the current state of relevant knowledge, and points in a few directions that those interested in human health may wish to consider.

Global Family Medicine: A ‘UNIVERSAL’ Mnemonic

“…30 That we live, in the United States, in an increasingly pluralistic society, 31,32 that globalization has altered traditional patterns of goods and jobs, 33 that we must pay attention to clinical conditions only until recently encountered on the other side of globe, 34,35 and that we must face the looming specter of climate change are all evidence of this reality. 36,37 Learn Ultimately, the process of working in global family medicine is one of learning. True learning implies welcoming a definitive change in some aspect of our lives: incorporate this deliberate intent into the process.…”

Cambio climático: impactos y perspectivas de investigación desde una visión multidisciplinar

“…Las múltiples interacciones que se presentan entre estos y que determinan el clima de nuestro planeta son muy complejas por lo que su estudio ha resultado complejo para los académicos expertos en el tema. En la tabla 1 se muestran algunos elementos propios de cada subsistema que inciden sobre las variables climáticas en el planeta 2 . A partir de esto, el clima se puede definir como una descripción estadística en términos de variabilidades y medias de variables como la temperatura, las precipitaciones y el viento que afectan al sistema climático en su conjunto.…”

Mindful Climate Action: Health and Environmental Co-Benefits from Mindfulness-Based Behavioral Training

“…Week 6 of the MCA curriculum will review the basic findings of climate change epidemiology [9,17,134–137] and introduce concepts of social justice. Instructors will foster compassion for vulnerable populations by asking participants to reflect on the broad scale of cause and consequence, compassion, and responsibility.…”

“…Indeed the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report states “Human influence on the climate system is clear, and recent anthropogenic emissions of green-house gases are the highest in history”. Furthermore, emerging science suggests that climate change is leading to adverse health effects [9–15]. The stress of heat waves and droughts increases morbidity and mortality, as do poor air quality and food and water insecurity [16–19].…”