Health impacts of climate change

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This image shows a group of people demonstrating. They are holding a large green banner that says" Climate change is a health emergency".
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Introduction

Human-induced climate change is causing dangerous and widespread disruption in nature and affecting the lives of billions of people around the world, despite efforts to reduce the risks. Climate change continues to put massive stress on our health and existing health systems.

As nations think about how to make health systems more resilient to current and future threats, one threat must not be overlooked: climate change is also impacting human health and straining heavily burdened health services everywhere. Health-related risks linked to climate change range widely, from increased likelihood of transmitting vector-borne diseases to decreased access to services as a result of disasters.

Related links
Climate change: essential reads
Themes
Climate change
Health and health facilities

Knowledge base

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Documents and publications

COP29 expectations document (annual policy document): Achieving fair climate finance to deliver resilience, ambition and a just transition

This COP29 document outlines essential climate finance goals, just transition measures, adaptation priorities, and energy system transformation to achieve fair, resilient, and ambitious climate action globally.
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Documents and publications

COP29 special report on climate and health: health is the argument for climate action

The WHO COP29 report identifies key climate-health policies across people, place, and planet, focusing on protecting 3.6 billion vulnerable people and advocating integrated health and climate governance.
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Documents and publications

The 2024 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: facing record-breaking threats from delayed action

The 2024 Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change, reveals a stark escalation in climate-related health threats, with 10 of 15 indicators tracking health threats reaching alarming new records.
Pump-jack mining crude oil with the sunset
Update

The Lancet urges divestment from fossil fuels to save lives

The 2024 Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change calls for an urgent redirection of these funds to build a healthier, more sustainable future and underscores the need for a rapid, just transition to net zero emissions.
World Health Organization (WHO)
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Documents and publications

Climate change and health in Durham region: Understanding the local health impacts of climate change

As part of its mandate under the Ontario Public Health Standards, the Durham Region Health Department (DRHD) initiated a series of climate change and health vulnerability assessments (CCHVAs) to identify current and future health impacts of climate change
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Documents and publications

Detection and attribution of climate change impacts on human health

This report provides an overview of the field as it stands today, including reflections on the history of its evolution out of climate science; an overview of the aims and approaches of the current body of literature.
Sewage water
Update

Climate change is making us sick, literally

The risk of acute gastrointestinal illness increases by up to 62% after certain kinds of sewer overflows, according to recent research. And with increasing extreme rainfall events in the forecast, climate change could make the problem worse.
Yale Climate Connections
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Documents and publications

Debunking climate myths and empowering climate action

This communications guide provides healthcare professionals with key talking points for talking about climate change and health, and countering myths about the importance of taking immediate climate action in Europe.
Woman holding two children in a Laotian village
Update

Climate change is affecting child health across 130 countries

Children are particularly vulnerable to the health impacts of climate change. Quantifying these negative effects and pinpointing areas where children are at greater risk can help inform evidence-based policymaking.
Centro Euro-Mediterraneo sui Cambiamenti Climatici
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Documents and publications

Health impacts of climate change: Evidence landscape and role of private sector

This report, prepared by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with L.E.K. Consulting, provides an in-depth analysis of the direct and indirect health impacts of climate change.

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