Climate Change and Population Health

Abstract

Human health and climate have a deep rooted co-existence since the inception of mankind on mother earth. An understanding between the two has been established since times immemorial with the great work of scientists and scholars. Human health and disease have made great strides in the present day world, while more emphasis on causal relationships of various diseases with various factors both internal as well as external is being studied. No conclusive data or little evidence suggesting climate change as responsible in the changing patterns of disease is available. But extreme changes in temperatures like cold and heat waves coupled with the increased or decreased precipitation levels causing famines and floods and the presence of aeroallergens with increased air pollution levels cause a brunt on human health on an individual level. Vector borne diseases are directly affected with the change in temperature and precipitation levels. Water related diseases arising due to poor quality, quantity of water with minimal personal hygiene share a complex association. Loss of human lives, health infrastructure, and public properties by the calamities like storms, cyclones, hurricanes which we witnessed in Asia, America in recent times are a forecast for the future world to tackle this situation now or never. On the other hand, vulnerable population of low to middle income countries suffer the greatest brunt of climate change related health burden. Thus mitigation of health related impact of climate change should be tailor made keeping in view the regional health threats. Effective strategies need to be devised at all levels of healthcare delivery system.