By Lenore Manderson
There
is mounting evidence of the impact of climate change on human habitat
and health, on plant and animal life, on water resources and shorelines.
These changes are felt unevenly within - and between - nations and
communities. This is due to differences in access to resources,
infrastructure, social structure, and government policy. Climate change
is, and will continue to be, most severely felt by the poorest people,
particularly those living in poorly-resourced, isolated and extreme
environments.
The unprecedented
peaks in temperature across the world affect the conditions of everyday
life in subtle ways. This is particularly true among people with fewest
resources.
For example, people
who live in poorly constructed houses and shacks, often without
ventilation, and in old inner city dwellings, are at heightened risk of
heat-stress health problems that can be fatal. These include
dehydration, heat stroke and asthma. In Africa, people living in cramped
housing in informal settlements, and those in run-down inner city
apartments, are most at risk. And, where there is no ready access to
potable water, their health is at an even greater risk.
The effect of
global warming on illness and death is the hardest to predict in terms
of health conditions and deaths. But researchers are beginning to
identify the biggest potential risks, particularly for developing
countries.
Developed economies
are able to reduce environmental health risks through improved
infrastructure, legal interventions and education. But the poorest
populations, with the least political traction, remain vulnerable.
Global warming simply adds to their health risks.
The risk areas
A few examples illustrate how changes in weather patterns can have a negative impact on the world's ability to manage diseases.
For example, in the
absence of a vaccines, infectious diseases like malaria have largely
been controlled by managing the environment better.
But this is
complicated by changes in ambient temperature, temperature ranges,
changes in precipitation, and water flow. All affect the geographic
habitat and behaviour of vectors, such as mosquitoes and snails. This in
turn is making to harder to deal with infections such as malaria,
dengue and schistosomiasis.
And changes in
rainfall patterns and increased drought are likely to affect water
supply. Lack of water for household use and personal consumption affects
hygiene and sanitation, contributing to the risk of water-borne
diseases such as dysentery. Again, people who don't have ready access to
running water, and those who live in run-down and crowded
accommodation, are especially at risk.
Changes in water
supply can also effect commercial food and subsistence production. This
in turn affects food security and the price of food.
Social, economic
and structural factors also shape health risks, exacerbating
environmental exposures and risk factors for health and illness. This is
particularly true in Africa, where many of the top 10 causes of death
are linked, one way or another, to the environment.
In 2016, most of
the top ten causes of death by the World Health Organisation were
associated with physical, work and social environments.
Influenza,
pneumonia, and TB are also in the top ten. All are airborne infections,
with the risk of these conditions highest among people the very young,
old, and people with HIV or other immune-mediated conditions. For its
part, TB spreads in closed environments.
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