Climate change and human health: present and future risks

• Published in: Lancet Vol. 367; no. 9513; pp. 859 - 869
• Main Authors: McMichael, Anthony J, Woodruff, Rosalie E, Hales, Simon
• Format: Journal Article Book Review
• Language: English
• Published: London Elsevier Ltd 11-03-2006; Lancet; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Aged; Algae; Animals; Anthropogenic factors; Biological and medical sciences; Climate; Climate change; Climate effects; Communicable Diseases - etiology; Disasters; Disease transmission; Effects; Emissions; Extreme weather; Female; Food Supply; General aspects; Global warming; Greenhouse Effect; Greenhouse gases; Health; Health risks; Heat waves; Humans; Hunger; Infectious diseases; Linear Models; Malaria; Male; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous; Mortality; Nature; Public health. Hygiene; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Risk assessment; Risk factors; Seasons; Thermal stress; Traditional foods; Vector-borne diseases; Human; Medicine; Climate; Change; Public health; Health hazards
• ISSN: 0140-6736; 0099-5355; 1474-547X
• DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(06)68079-3

There is near unanimous scientific consensus that greenhouse gas emissions generated by human activity will change Earth's climate. The recent (globally averaged) warming by 0·5°C is partly attributable to such anthropogenic emissions. Climate change will affect human health in many ways—mostly adversely. Here, we summarise the epidemiological evidence of how climate variations and trends affect various health outcomes. We assess the little evidence there is that recent global warming has already affected some health outcomes. We review the published estimates of future health effects of climate change over coming decades. Research so far has mostly focused on thermal stress, extreme weather events, and infectious diseases, with some attention to estimates of future regional food yields and hunger prevalence. An emerging broader approach addresses a wider spectrum of health risks due to the social, demographic, and economic disruptions of climate change. Evidence and anticipation of adverse health effects will strengthen the case for pre-emptive policies, and will also guide priorities for planned adaptive strategies.