Climate change is no longer just about rising temperatures or melting ice caps; it now poses substantial health risks to people around the globe. Recent reports have laid bare the myriad ways climate change is affecting health, from exacerbated diseases to mental illnesses, highlighting the urgent necessity to address this interconnected crisis.
During the recent United Nations Climate Change Conference, or COP29, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, the topic of health may not have topped the agenda. Yet, the ramifications of climate change on public well-being are undeniable. New data reveals alarming trends linking climate change to increasing health risks. For example, according to the latest report from The Lancet Countdown, heat-related deaths among individuals over the age of 65 have skyrocketed, rising by 167% since the 1990s. This spiraling statistic paints a grim picture of vulnerability, particularly among the elderly.
Extreme droughts have become widespread, affecting over half of the planet's land area for at least one month in 2023. This rising dry spell doesn’t only threaten agriculture; it’s also leading to significant health problems. Drought can cause respiratory issues and force communities to resort to drinking contaminated water — hallmarks of public health crises.
And if you think the impact ends there, think again. Climate change has been shown to create conditions conducive to thriving disease carriers, such as mosquitoes. Consequently, illnesses like dengue fever are on the rise, meaning climate change is facilitating the spread of diseases we thought we had under control.
Take the village of Jambhali, located in the heart of western India. Devex contributor Sanket Jain traveled there and uncovered firsthand how worsening air pollution—exacerbated by nearby industrial activities—was intricately linked to rising levels of malnutrition among children. Exposure to pollutants during pregnancy and childhood has demonstrated adverse impacts on nutrition, thereby affecting the overall health of young ones.
But the ramifications of pollution don’t stop at malnutrition. Chronic exposure to air pollution establishes connections to life-threatening conditions such as cancer and cardiovascular ailments, not to mention cognitive impairments. With such data, many health professionals express deep frustration over the lack of financial backing directed toward combatting climate change's root causes. Why, after all, are nations still investing more heavily in fossil fuel subsidies than public health?
The Global Center on Adaptation's CEO, Patrick Verkooijen, has pointed out the stark reality: “What is planning without financing?” While 43 countries have introduced national health adaptation plans, it remains troubling to see many countries allocate scant resources to health compared to fossil fuels.
On the other side of the globe, Kenya is hoping to turn the tide against this dire health scenario with the launch of the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), aimed at achieving universal health coverage. Unfortunately, this initiative has encountered hurdles as many citizens remain unclear about what the fund covers. Some healthcare providers, too, lack knowledge about the changes, making enrollment and claims filing cumbersome for prospective beneficiaries.
Compounding the complication, many civil servants are facing increased personal costs due to copayments, leaving some feeling financially strained compared to prior systems. Negotiations are currently underway to resolve these issues and gain wider acceptance of the SHIF’s services.
Moving away from Kenya and focusing on Eastern Europe, Ukraine’s healthcare system is showing remarkable resilience amid adversity. With the shadows of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion, one might assume the health system would crumble. Instead, it’s persevering. Ukraine’s efforts to modernize healthcare infrastructure before these crises struck helped build adaptability. Health Minister Viktor Liashko reports success stories of sustained access to medicines, continued HIV and TB testing, and treatments—all amid turmoil.
The continuing support and procurement of low-cost medicines, as well as surveilling infectious disease spread, have continued, showing how adaptability is key during crises.
Lastly, let’s not forget the global ripple effects of climate degradation—where extended discussions of systemic health care reforms are overshadowed by immediate health crises. The World Health Organization reports nearly 380,000 people have been displaced by devastating floods sweeping through South Sudan, triggering fears of resurging malaria cases. The floods, pouring over six of the ten states, have overwhelmed healthcare services, creating multi-layered health crises.
Despite these challenges, countries are at different starting points across the spectrum of health adaptation and resilience against climate change. Addressing these health impacts requires nations to reassess their priorities—transitioning health funding away from fossil fuels and toward adapting to climate impacts—if they hope to protect their citizens' physical and mental well-being.
The intersections of climate change and global health have never been starker. If countries are to emerge from this crisis stronger and healthier, changes must occur simultaneously within climate policies, healthcare funding, and community services. This isn’t just about preserving the planet; it is about securing the health and longevity of humanity itself. Ignoring this relationship will leave societies vulnerable to ever-increasing adversity.
