Study impact of climate change on human infectious diseases

Climate change refers to long-term changes in weather patterns and extreme weather patterns. This can lead to changes in the threat to human health, multiplying the existing health problems.

Environment International Volume 86 Journal titled Impact of climate change on human infectious diseases: Empirical evidence and human adaptation examine the scientific evidence on the impact of climate change on human infectious diseases.

It identifies advances in research and gaps in how human society can, adapt and prepare for related changes. According to a study of related publications between 1990 and 2015, the terms used for the selection of the literature reflect three aspects: the components of infectious diseases, climatic variables and some infectious diseases.

The vulnerability of humans to the potential impacts on the health of climate change is evident in the literature. As an active agent, humans can control the health effects that can be effectively controlled by taking proactive measures, which include a better understanding of the patterns of climate change and the specific health effects of the disease, and effective allocation of technologies and resources to promote healthy lifestyles and public awareness.

The following adaptation measures are recommended:

• Go beyond the empirical observations of the association between climate change and infectious diseases and develop more scientific explanations;
• Improve the prediction of the spatiotemporal process of climate change and the changes associated with infectious diseases, and
• Establish effective local early warning systems for the effects of predicted climate change on health.