Human health as an indicator of climate change.

Abstract

The association of climatic conditions with human health outcomes has been known for ages; however, the impact of climate on infectious agents in disease transmission is still evolving. Climate change alters the regional weather impacting the emergence, distribution, and prevalence of infectious (vector-, water- or air-borne) diseases. Since the last few decades, the world has experienced an apparent increase in the emergence and re-emergence of infectious diseases, such as Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV); severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV); Ebola virus; Zika virus; and recently SARS-CoV-2. With many health agencies recommending handwashing, clean water access, and household cleaning as prevention measures, the threat to water security looms over the world population resulting in a significant public health burden under the lens of the emergence of infectious diseases. Under-resourced regions that lack adequate water supplies are on the verge of an enormous additional burden from such outbreaks. Thus, studying anthropogenic and naturogenic factors involved in the emergence of infectious diseases is crucial to managing and mitigating inequalities. This study aims to determine the impacts of climate variability on infectious diseases, namely water-, air-, and vector-borne diseases, and their association with the distribution and transmission of infectious agents. We also discuss the advancement of built infrastructure globally and its role as a mitigation or adaptation tool when coupled with an early warning system. Our study, therefore, will provide a climate-based platform to adapt and mitigate the impact of climatic variability on the transmission of infectious diseases and water insecurity.