BACKGROUND: Climate change and rising average global temperatures threaten to disrupt the physical, biological and ecological life support systems on which human health depends. OBJECTIVE: This article overviews the evidence for human induced climate change, the predicted health impacts, and the role of primary health care professionals in managing these impacts. DISCUSSION: Climate change has substantial potential health effects. These include heat stress related to heatwaves; injuries related to extreme weather events such as storms, fires and floods; infectious disease outbreaks due to changing patterns of mosquito borne and water borne diseases; poor nutrition from reduced food availability and affordability; the psychosocial impact of drought; and the displacement of communities. Primary health care has an important role in preparing for and responding to these climate change related threats to human health.
BACKGROUND: Climate change and rising average global temperatures threaten to disrupt the physical, biological and ecological life support systems on which human health depends. OBJECTIVE: This article overviews the evidence for human induced climate change, the predicted health impacts, and the role of primary health care professionals in managing these impacts. DISCUSSION: Climate change has substantial potential health effects. These include heat stress related to heatwaves; injuries related to extreme weather events such as storms, fires and floods; infectious disease outbreaks due to changing patterns of mosquito borne and water borne diseases; poor nutrition from reduced food availability and affordability; the psychosocial impact of drought; and the displacement of communities. Primary health care has an important role in preparing for and responding to these climate change related threats to human health.
Authors: Angela Di Cesare; Paolo Emidio Crisi; Emanuela Di Giulio; Fabrizia Veronesi; Antonio Frangipane di Regalbono; Tonino Talone; Donato Traversa Journal: Parasitol Res Date: 2013-06-07 Impact factor: 2.289
Authors: Grant Blashki; Alan Abelsohn; Robert Woollard; Neil Arya; Margot W Parkes; Paul Kendal; Erica Bell; R Warren Bell Journal: Asia Pac Fam Med Date: 2012-08-08
Authors: Anna Yusa; Peter Berry; June J Cheng; Nicholas Ogden; Barrie Bonsal; Ronald Stewart; Ruth Waldick Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2015-07-17 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Lin Zhou; Zheng Xin; Li Bai; Fangjun Wan; Yongming Wang; Shaowei Sang; Shouqin Liu; Ji Zhang; Qiyong Liu Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2014-01-28 Impact factor: 3.390