Ali Hamza’s Post

This JAMA Insights in the Climate Change and Health series discusses the increase in extreme weather events caused by climate change and how these events bring about increased migration due to effects on water availability, food access, and rates of endemic diseases. https://ja.ma/49oY2Ae

How does climate change affect disease? Climate change and human health are interconnected in many complex ways. The impacts of climate change include warming temperatures, changes in precipitation, an increase in the frequency or intensity of some extreme weather events, changes in the distribution of wildlife, and rising sea levels. These impacts threaten our health by affecting the food we eat, the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the weather we experience. Climate change may especially affect people who live in areas that are vulnerable to coastal storms, drought and sea-level rise, or people who live in poverty, older adults, and immigrant communities. People in developing countries may be the most vulnerable to health risks globally, but climate change poses significant health threats even in wealthy nations. Climate change scenarios include a change in the distribution of infectious diseases with warming and changes in outbreaks associated with weather extremes. The ranges of several vector-borne diseases are already changing in altitude due to warming. The incidence of mosquito-borne parasitic and viral diseases is among those diseases most sensitive to climate (e.g. West Nile Virus, malaria, Dengue fever, etc.). Climate change affects disease transmission by shifting the vectors’ geographic range and by shortening the pathogens’ incubation period. The temperature may modify the growth of disease-carrying vectors by altering their biting rates, as well as affecting vector population dynamics and altering the rate at which they come into contact with humans. A shift in temperature regime can alter the length of the transmission season. Disease-carrying vectors may adapt to changes in temperature by changing geographical distribution. Possibly one of the most dangerous consequences of climate change is the potential for the emergence or re-emergence of novel pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and parasites. Heat stress may elevate the potential for animal-to-animal transmission of zoonotic pathogens. Moreover, it may provide possibilities for pathogens to cross between species. For many pathogens, the environment plays an important role in the transmission, and hence changing environmental conditions (e.g. temperature) may alter the geographical distribution, diversity, levels, and seasonality of the pathogen in nature, which could lead to emerging outbreaks (e.g. Ebola, SARS, MERS, west Nile Fever).  #climatechange #environment #health #westnilevirus

This JAMA Insights in the Climate Change and Health series discusses the increase in extreme weather events caused by climate change and how these events bring about increased migration due to effects on water availability, food access, and rates of endemic diseases. https://ja.ma/3uQNmMo

On this World Environment Day, it's important to recognize the significant impact climate change has on our health. As highlighted in a recent article by News9Live, climate change is linked to several diseases. Among these, the risk of hypothyroidism is of particular concern. Changes in temperature and environmental stressors can disrupt thyroid function, leading to a range of health issues. Thyroid medications are already the most prescribed drug in the country, growing at a high 5% CAGR. Could climate change be the sole reason? We doubt it, considering the autoimmune component of hypothyroidism, but it definitely plays a role! https://lnkd.in/ewp9mT6c #WorldEnvironmentDay #ClimateChange #ThyroidHealth #Hypothyroidism #PalomaHealth #womenshealth

Rising temperatures: Global temperatures are increasing, leading to heatwaves and heat-related illnesses.Melting ice caps and glaciers: This results in rising sea levels, threatening coastal communities and ecosystems.Extreme weather events: More frequent and severe storms, floods, and droughts are occurring due to climate change.Changes in precipitation patterns: Some regions experience more rainfall, while others face increased drought conditions.Ocean acidification: Increased carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere are absorbed by the oceans, leading to acidification, which harms marine life.Disruption of ecosystems: Changes in temperature and precipitation affect habitats, causing shifts in species distribution and loss of biodiversity.Threats to agriculture: Changes in climate conditions can impact crop yields, leading to food shortages and increased prices.Spread of diseases: Warmer temperatures can expand the range of disease-carrying vectors such as mosquitoes, increasing the risk of diseases like malaria and dengue fever.Loss of freshwater resources: Changes in precipitation patterns and increased evaporation rates can lead to water scarcity in some regions.Economic impacts: Climate change can result in damage to infrastructure, loss of property, and displacement of communities, leading to economic losses.

Climate change is putting our health at risk by making certain diseases more prevalent. Researchers are digging deep to prepare us to tackle them head-on. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eVqW3tt4 #PachamaReads #ClimateChange

#EcoSaludGlobal Divergent #impacts of warming weather on wildlifedisease risk across climates. #Infectious disease outbreaks among #wildlife have surged in recent decades alongside global climate change. However, the circumstances under which climate change ismost likely to promote or inhibit infectious disease remain unknown for several reasons. First, researchers know little about how cli-mate change will alter disease risk across hostsand parasites with diverse life history traits(e.g., host thermal biology, habitat, and para-site transmission mode). Second, not all para-sites will be affected by climate change, but it remains unclear how the relative risk of disease caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and helminths is changing. Third, impacts of temperature ab-normalities and variability, rather than increasing mean temperatures alone, remain largely unexplored. Finally, it is not clear which region sof the globe may become more amenable to disease and which may become less suitable.

Bringing climate change mitigation and adaptation together will naturally reduce non-communicable diseases #NCDs Better food, more movement will naturally reduce the risk of NCDs #ClimateChangesHealth

Amid escalating climate change, the significance of "wet bulb temperature" emerges. Unlike regular temperature gauging, it reveals humidity's impact on health, agriculture, and ecosystems. Warns of health risks, crop challenges, and informs policies for a more resilient future. https://bit.ly/47N7RIb #HealthRisks #AgricultureImpact #ClimatePolicy Bhupender Yadav  

Meeting registration: The Impact of Climate Change on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs): Examples from FAIRMED’s work in Chad and Nepal Mar 28, 2024 https://lnkd.in/dtVbR99m