WHO NEWS
Climate change to increase incidence of diseases
Climate change is likely to increase the global incidences of diseases such as malaria, diarrhoea and malnutrition around the world, according to a new study examining the health impacts of climate change launched by WHO and partners on 11 December.
Climate Change and Human Health Risks and Responses, was launched at the 9th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Milan, Italy. It examines how weather, air pollution and water and food contamination affect the way diseases emerge and represents the most recently available scientific data on the issue.
"There is growing evidence that changes in the global climate will have profound effects on the health and well-being of citizens in countries throughout the world. We must better understand the potential health effects particularly for those who are most vulnerable, so that we can better manage the risks," said Dr Kerstin Leitner, WHO Assistant Director-General for Sustainable Development and Healthy Environments.
Climate change is responsible for 2.4% of all cases of diarrhoea and for 2% of all cases of malaria worldwide according to the most recently available figures; if global temperatures increase by up to three degrees Celsius, several hundred million more people will be exposed to malaria every year. If greenhouse gas emissions continue to grow, by 2030 the risk of diarrhoea will increase by 10%, the report estimates. In 2000, climate change was responsible for 150 000 deaths overall and 5.5 million disability-adjusted life years.
The world's temperature has increased by around 0.4 degrees Celsius since the 1970s and now exceeds the upper limit of natural (historical) variability, says the report, and it continues to rise. The 1990's were the hottest decade on record and this summer 20 000 people died in Europe due to extremely high temperatures.
Changes in rainfall patterns have also had a major impact on health and will continue to do so. The report predicts, for example, that Bangladesh, India, Myanmar and Vietnam will face a "significant increase" in malnutrition cases because the predictable monsoons which those countries depend on to grow rice are threatened by constant climate change.
The report, co-authored by WHO, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) with the support of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), also suggests ways in which all countries can monitor and control the health effects of climate change. 