Climate change may have long-term negative effects on public health

Executive summary of the health chapter from the report of the Knowledge Center for Climate Change Preparation in Israel

• Introduction to the report and main recommendations
• The water chapter
• The biodiversity chapter

The health sector is affected in several ways by the climate - both directly through physiological effects and indirectly through an effect on chronic and infectious diseases as well as on mortality and morbidity rates from external factors.

Climate change may have long-term negative effects on public health. It is important to note that the effects of climate change are accompanied by an increase in local air pollution, which has significant consequences for public health.

In light of the great uncertainty, it is suggested to take a "no regrets" approach. This approach is based on allocating resources to preparedness measures that will have a positive impact on public health, regardless of the effects of climate change. Accordingly, in addition to recommending specific preparedness measures, the World Health Organization called for "strengthening public health systems, emergency response programs and research around the world."

National and international monitoring systems and climate change adaptation policies need to be complemented by strategic response systems in order to be effective. Direct and indirect health effects of climate change include morbidity associated with extreme heat and cold conditions, vector and water borne diseases, worsening of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases as a result of air pollution and mental stress.

Since there is expected to be a geographic difference in the level of vulnerability of the population, adaptation efforts should be initiated at the local level. Adaptation measures to climate change should be suitable for immediate response to the happening events and prevention of future negative events. This will be especially important for the most sensitive population groups such as children, pregnant women, chronic patients and the population of the lower deciles as a whole. As part of the adaptation processes, both the effects of extreme weather events and the effects of gradual changes in temperature and precipitation regime must be considered.

Interventions aimed at mitigating the change in the composition of the atmosphere, such as reducing the use of conventional energy, also reduce the direct effects of air pollution on human health. This is an example of "double benefit" interventions.

Improving air quality, creating more green neighborhoods and encouraging a healthy lifestyle is another "double profit" process. This process will reduce the prevalence of risk factors for chronic diseases and as a result will lead to a decrease in the occurrence of diseases such as osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases and depression.

The main recommendations of the health team include real-time monitoring and a coordinated response to extreme events (heat and cold waves, floods and natural disasters), coordinated preparation for gradual changes, which may lead to disease outbreaks as a result of the invasion of vectors or carriers of diseases.
In addition, the health team recommends improving the preparation of the health system, including the appropriate equipment of air conditioners, practice events, and more.