Heating Planet, Rising Risks: Climate Change Fuels Disease Spread and Heat-Related Deaths
A scorching summer grips the globe, and with it comes a stark warning from health experts: climate change isn’t just about rising sea levels and extreme weather events. It’s a growing threat to human health, fueling the spread of infectious diseases and heat-related illnesses. Anadolu Agency published an article recently to shed light on the fact.
The year 2023 saw record high temperatures, and 2024 appears to be following suit. This warming trend creates ideal breeding grounds for mosquitos, leading to a surge in mosquito-borne diseases like dengue, chikungunya, and malaria. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported over 7.6 million dengue cases by April this year, with a significant increase in North and South America exceeding the previous annual high.
The culprit has been identified as invasive mosquito species. The European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) highlights how climate change allows these species, like Aedes albopictus, to spread into new areas. This mosquito transmits chikungunya and dengue viruses, and its range has expanded “further northwards and westwards in Europe” in recent years. Alarmingly, the Aedes aegypti mosquito, known to transmit dengue, yellow fever, and Zika, has also been found in Europe and could potentially spread further.
ECDC data paints a grim picture. By the end of May 2024, nearly 320,000 chikungunya cases were recorded across 19 countries, with over 120 fatalities. Celine Gossner, a leading expert on emerging diseases at ECDC, confirms, “Perhaps the clearest connection between climate change and infectious diseases is the spread of mosquito-borne diseases.”
Rising temperatures aren’t just a breeding ground for mosquitos; they’re putting a strain on human hearts as well. Barrak Alahmad, a researcher at Harvard University specializing in environmental health, warns, “Our bodies have a limit. When it’s too hot, the heart works harder to pump blood. This puts stress on the heart, especially for those with pre-existing heart disease.”
The evidence is alarming. Studies link heat exposure to an increased risk of heart attacks, stroke, and heart failure. Vulnerable populations, including the elderly, those with pre-existing heart conditions, and low-income communities, are most at risk. The WHO reports a staggering 85% increase in heat-related deaths among people over 65 between 2000 and 2021. In Europe alone, the summer of 2022 saw an estimated 61,000 heat-related deaths.
Alahmad emphasizes the specific threat to the Middle East, stating, “The Middle East is heating up very fast. Even if we curb emissions today, the region will face extreme heat in the near future.”
The WHO predicts an additional 250,000 deaths per year by 2050 due to climate change-related factors like malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea, and heat stress. With scorching temperatures becoming the norm, experts like Alahmad urge immediate action. “Climate change is here, and it’s already impacting human health. Policymakers need to recognize this new reality and take action to protect people.”
Mitigating climate change and developing strategies to protect public health from its consequences are crucial steps. This fight demands global cooperation and a commitment to a healthier planet for future generations.
