Health Effects Of Climate Change Research Articles

A Nationwide Survey Following the Devastating 2022 Floods in Pakistan: Current State of Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception Toward Climate Change and Its Health Consequences.

Climate change (CC) persists as a critical public health concern, vividly demonstrated by Pakistan's severe unprecedented flooding from June to October 2022. The interplay between floods and CC highlights the urgent need to comprehend their complex dynamics. Given Pakistan's significant geographical vulnerability to CC events, assessing public awareness of CC becomes essential. This study aims to evaluate public knowledge, attitudes, and perception (KAP) regarding CC and its implications for overall health, reflecting onto governmental policies and community-based guidelines and enhancing preparedness for future natural calamities of similar magnitude. A nationwide cross-sectional survey of Pakistani adults covering all provinces of the country was conducted from January to March 2023 using a prevalidated questionnaire. A purposive sampling strategy was used to enroll participants in the study. Where appropriate, the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test was used to compare KAP among the sociodemographic groups. Multivariate analysis was used to explore predictors of knowledge. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were calculated considering a p value of ≤0.05 as significant. Among the 714 respondents, 265 (37.1%)of the respondents' residential areas were affected by the floods in Pakistan. A total of 663 (92.9%) of the participants had heard of CC, with 302 (42.3%) choosing "social media/WhatsApp" as their source of information. Increased floodingand changes in rainfall patternswere selected by 679 (95.1%) and 661 (92.6%) participants, respectively, as the most recognized CC. "Deforestation" was the most indicated reason for CC by 675 (94.5%) participants. Multivariate analysis revealed that females (OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.16-2.00; p < 0.001), individuals who were affected by recent floods (OR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.05-3.34; p = 0.003), and individuals who were medical students/healthcare workers (OR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.24-2.48; p < 0.001) had greater knowledge of CC than their counterparts. The study reported an encouraging prevalence of knowledge of CC, positive attitudes, and practices towardCC, with an interest in learning and doing more to address the health effects of CC. With the ongoing global CC and a monsoon season forecast of similar intensity for the years to come in Pakistan, identifying groups with less knowledge of CC warrants a targeted education program to maximize awareness. Based on the study findings, social media platforms and interventions in educational institutes should be essential to mitigate the CC events in Pakistan and other vulnerable regions in the area.

Cardiovascular Imaging, Climate Change, and Environmental Sustainability.

Environmental exposures including poor air quality and extreme temperatures are exacerbated by climate change and are associated with adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Concomitantly, the delivery of health care generates substantial atmospheric greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions contributing to the climate crisis. Therefore, cardiac imaging teams must be aware not only of the adverse cardiovascular health effects of climate change, but also the downstream environmental ramifications of cardiovascular imaging. The purpose of this review is to highlight the impact of climate change on cardiovascular health, discuss the environmental impact of cardiovascular imaging, and describe opportunities to improve environmental sustainability of cardiac MRI, cardiac CT, echocardiography, cardiac nuclear imaging, and invasive cardiovascular imaging. Overarching strategies to improve environmental sustainability in cardiovascular imaging include prioritizing imaging tests with lower GHG emissions when more than one test is appropriate, reducing low-value imaging, and turning equipment off when not in use. Modality-specific opportunities include focused MRI protocols and low-field-strength applications, iodine contrast media recycling programs in cardiac CT, judicious use of US-enhancing agents in echocardiography, improved radiopharmaceutical procurement and waste management in nuclear cardiology, and use of reusable supplies in interventional suites. Finally, future directions and research are highlighted, including life cycle assessments over the lifespan of cardiac imaging equipment and the impact of artificial intelligence tools. Keywords: Heart, Safety, Sustainability, Cardiovascular Imaging Supplemental material is available for this article. © RSNA, 2024.

Global health and climate action: achievements and imperatives from COP28.

SThe 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change marked a step-change forward in integrating health into the global climate change agenda. For the first time, there was a dedicated 'health' day, US$1 billion (A$1.5 billion) in climate-health financing was announced, and a Declaration on Climate and Health was signed by 148 countries. Australia also launched its National Health and Climate Strategy. A 'global stocktake' assessed progress against the Paris Agreement, emphasising the need to "transition away" from fossil fuels in the final COP28 decision. The Loss and Damage Fund to help vulnerable countries cope with climate change was also operationalised. Less promising are a number of loopholes in the COP28 outcomes regarding the continued use of fossil fuels. Loss and Damage Fund pledges represented only 0.2% of the estimated financial assistance needed to support vulnerable countries. Australia remains one of the largest fossil fuel exporters and has yet to elaborate on the implementation and financing for its health and climate strategy. To protect global health, urgent action is needed to phase out fossil fuels and transition to renewable energy, ensuring no communities are left behind. Investment is needed to increase the resilience of communities and health services to address innumerable challenges, including those associated with climate change. COP28 saw an increased presence of public health practitioners, who can play a critical role in understanding the implications of climate change for the communities they serve and embedding responses in their practice. They are well placed to strengthen the evidence base for interventions, monitor progress, and advocate for health-promoting climate policy. COPs form an important part of how we collectively address climate change. The health sector finally has a place at the COP table. The sector now needs to become an enabler of action across sectors, as well as managing the health consequences of climate change on communities and health services. Australia hopes to host COP31 in 2026 with Pacific states, potentially providing a catalyst for strengthened resolve.

A toxicological perspective on climate change and the exposome.

Climate change is accompanied by changes in the exposome, including increased heat, ground-level ozone, and other air pollutants, infectious agents, pollens, and psychosocial stress. These exposures alter the internal component of the exposome and account for some of the health effects of climate change. The adverse outcome pathways describe biological events leading to an unfavorable health outcome. In this perspective study, I propose to use this toxicological framework to better describe the biological steps linking a stressor associated with climate change to an adverse outcome. Such a framework also allows for better identification of possible interactions between stressors related to climate change and others, such as chemical pollution. More generally, I call for the incorporation of climate change as part of the exposome and for improved identification of the biological pathways involved in its health effects.

The impact of climate change and related extreme weather on people with limb loss.

The human health consequences of climate change and extreme weather events are well documented. Published literature details the unique effects and necessary adaptation planning for people with physical disabilities in general; however, the specific impacts and plans for people with limb loss have yet to be explored. In this article, we discuss the impacts related to threats due to heat, cold, severe storms, and power outages. We describe how climate change uniquely affects people with limb loss and underscore the need for rehabilitation care providers and researchers to: (1) study the health impacts of climate change on people with lower limb loss; (2) educate themselves and patients on the climate crisis and climate preparedness; (3) co-develop resiliency strategies with patients, governments, and community organizations to improve adaptive capacity; and (4) advocate for policy changes that will enact protections for this at-risk population.

Knowledge and Reported Practices of Nursing Students Regarding Health Effects of Climate Change in Sohag City

Knowledge and Reported Practices of Nursing Students Regarding Health Effects of Climate Change in Sohag City

The Impact of Climate Change on Mental Health: A General Population Study

Introduction Climate change and its impact on mental health is a growing area of research. Several studies have explored the relationship between climate change and mental health, highlighting the various ways in which climate change can affect individuals’ psychological well-being. Incorporating mental health indicators into climate change and health vulnerability and adaptation assessments is another important aspect of research in this area (Hayes &amp; Poland, 2018). The study suggests that standardized methods to measure and predict the psychosocial outcomes of climate change should be implemented to better understand the mental health impacts. While the physical health consequences of climate change have received more attention, the mental health impacts are often overlooked (Nicholas et al., 2020).ObjectivesThis study was planned to examine the impact of climate change the impact of climate change on mental healthMethodsThis descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with individuals who willing to participate the study and above 18 years age. Individuals who saw the online advertisement and click on the study’s link were be brought to the study’s home page on Online Surveys. Should they wish to proceed, they will be brought to an information page detailing the purpose of the study, how their confidentiality and anonymity will be preserved and how their data will be treated.Socio-Demographic Data Form, Climate Change Worry Scale, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire Revised- Abbreviated, general health questioner and Depression, Anxiety, Stress scale were used for collecting data. Data analyses was planned to run via Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version, 27.0.ResultsThe analysis of the data is still ongoing in detail by the researchers. The findings and relational implications of the study will be presented.Conclusions In conclusion, this study highlight the importance of understanding the mental health impacts of climate change and developing strategies to address them. Climate change can have direct and indirect consequences on mental health, and vulnerable populations such as children and adolescents may be particularly at risk. Reducing psychological distance and incorporating mental health indicators into assessments can help in understanding and addressing the mental health consequences of climate change.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Climate Change and its Impact on Human Health: A Focus on Vetcor Borne Diseases

Human activities are blamed for climate change, for instance, cutting trees, deforestation, desertification, arable lands abuse, increasing consumption of fossil fuels in industries and transportation have increased greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide in the earths atmospheres that resulted in increased average temperature. Accumulation of green house gases in lower atmospheres is the main reason for global warming. The overall health effects of climate change are likely to be extremely negative. Climate change affects social and environmental factors related to health such as contaminating drinking water, less access to water, having adverse effects on food security, and ruining shelter. It also imposes new diseases and mortality on human population. Climate change specially extreme high temperature increases deaths due to complication from cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, diabetes, mental disorder, respiratory and renal diseases. Weather related natural disasters result in more deaths. Intense rainfall and floods cause direct trauma, ruin agricultural land, contaminate fresh water, increase the risk of water borne disease and create suitable breeding grounds for vector borne disease like malaria, leshmaniasis, CCHF, and others. Climate change also increases the rate of communicable and non-communicable diseases. All papulation is affected by climate change but elders, pregnant women and children are more vulnerable than others. Climate change is challenging all human societies, but areas with weak health infrastructure and low socioeconomic status are more affected.

Published research on the human health implications of climate change between 2012 and 2021: cross sectional study

ObjectiveTo better understand the state of research on the effects of climate change on human health, including exposures, health conditions, populations, areas of the world studied, funding sources, and publication...

Environmental Sustainability and AI in Radiology: A Double-Edged Sword.

According to the World Health Organization, climate change is the single biggest health threat facing humanity. The global health care system, including medical imaging, must manage the health effects of climate change while at the same time addressing the large amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated in the delivery of care. Data centers and computational efforts are increasingly large contributors to GHG emissions in radiology. This is due to the explosive increase in big data and artificial intelligence (AI) applications that have resulted in large energy requirements for developing and deploying AI models. However, AI also has the potential to improve environmental sustainability in medical imaging. For example, use of AI can shorten MRI scan times with accelerated acquisition times, improve the scheduling efficiency of scanners, and optimize the use of decision-support tools to reduce low-value imaging. The purpose of this Radiology in Focus article is to discuss this duality at the intersection of environmental sustainability and AI in radiology. Further discussed are strategies and opportunities to decrease AI-related emissions and to leverage AI to improve sustainability in radiology, with a focus on health equity. Co-benefits of these strategies are explored, including lower cost and improved patient outcomes. Finally, knowledge gaps and areas for future research are highlighted.

Adverse human health effects of climate change: an update.

The world is currently facing a process of climate change, which may adversely impact human health in many different ways. The safety of food, water and urban environments is endangered by the consequences of climate change. Sea level and temperature rise, along with more frequent and longer heat waves, represent only a few of the effects of climate change. The increased risk of extreme climate events (e.g., cyclones, droughts and floods) is another serious public health issue. These adverse effects are enhanced in areas and countries not having the capacity to effectively deal with climate change. We primarily aimed at summarizing the impacts of climate change on public health. A further aim was to identify the most concerning consequences of this phenomenon and the vulnerability factors that amplify the negative effects of climate change. PubMed and other literature databases were used as literature sources for this narrative review based on the search terms 'climate change' and 'diseases categories' up to January 2024, in order to assess the most recent and relevant scientific evidence about the relation between climate change and public health, identify knowledge gaps and priorities for future research. We also screened the websites of major agencies devoted to human health protection and environmental health. Climate change appears to induce a broad spectrum of generally adverse effects on public health. It may increase the risk of infectious diseases, psychiatric disorders, cancer and other diseases. Currently, we are not effectively counteracting this phenomenon, since pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions have been increasing alongside temperatures. A host of measures are required in order to prevent and fight climate change and related health effects. These include the adoption of a holistic approach and the collaboration of different kinds of expertise in order to design more effective strategies. Special attention should be paid to those who live in disadvantaged countries, and those who are more vulnerable to the adverse health consequences of climate change.

Neurological patients confronting climate change: A potential role for the glymphatic system and sleep

Interest in the health consequences of climate change (global warming, heatwaves) has increased in the neurological community. This review addresses the impact of elevated ambient temperatures and heatwaves on patients with neurological and mental health disorders, including multiple sclerosis, synucleinopathies, dementia, epilepsies, mental health, and stroke. Patients with such conditions are highly vulnerable during heatwaves because of functional disorders affecting sleep, thermoregulation, autonomic system reactivity, mood, and cognitive ability. Several medications may also increase the risk of heatstroke. Special attention is devoted to the involvement of common underlying mechanisms, such as sleep and the glymphatic system. Disease prevention and patient care during heatwaves are major issues for caregivers. Beyond the usual recommendations for individuals, we favor artificially induced acclimation to heat, which provides preventive benefits with proven efficacy for healthy adults.

Climate Change and Global Health: An Interconnected Review

This comprehensive review explores the multifaceted impacts of climate change on global health, emphasizing the interconnectedness of environmental changes with vector-borne diseases, food security, and public health structures. As global temperatures rise and climatic patterns shift, there is an increased prevalence of vector-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, and Zika, which are profoundly influenced by altered environmental conditions that favor vector proliferation and extend their geographical range. Simultaneously, food security is severely threatened as climate change impacts crop yields, livestock health, and fisheries, essential components of the global food supply chain. The review further discusses public health responses, detailing both the existing health risks exacerbated by climate change and the strategic adaptations that countries have implemented to mitigate these risks. Through an examination of various national and global strategies, from improved surveillance systems to disaster preparedness and adaptive agricultural practices, the article highlights the necessity for integrated research, policymaking, and practice to address these global challenges. It calls for enhanced international cooperation and innovation to effectively manage the health effects of climate change, ensuring a resilient approach to safeguarding global health in the face of environmental uncertainties.

Non-optimum temperatures modified the associations between PM2.5 and its components and hospitalizations for chronic kidney disease in China

Epidemiological evidence concerning whether exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and its components was linked to an elevated risk of hospitalizations for chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains insufficient. Moreover, it remains unclear whether ambient temperatures have potential modification effects on PM2.5's impacts. In the current study, we collected a nationwide sample of 2,259,240 hospitalization records for CKD in 260 Chinese cities. The associations between air pollutants and CKD hospitalizations were determined by the space-time-stratified case-crossover design. We further assessed the effects of PM2.5 and its components in three temperature strata [i.e., lowest (<25th), medium (25–75th), and highest (>75th)]. The findings demonstrated the significant and monotonic associations between risk of CKD hospitalizations and exposure to PM2.5, black carbon (BC), sulfate (SO42−), nitrate (NO3−), ammonium (NH4+), and organic matter (OM). For instance, along with an interquartile range increment in PM2.5 (29.47 μg/m3), the relative risks (RR) were 1.016 (95 % confidence interval [CI]:1.012–1.019) at lag 0–4 days. Higher ambient temperature significantly exacerbated the estimated impact of PM2.5 and its components on CKD hospitalizations, while significantly stronger associations were also observed at lower temperature for SO42− and NO3−. The modification effects of non-optimum temperatures varied among different etiologies of CKD and geographic regions. This study provides insights into the joint kidney health effects of climate change and air pollution. These findings highlight the necessity of protection measures against high concentration of PM2.5 and non-optimum temperatures for the vulnerable populations.

Promoting eCo-responsibility, eCo-literacy, and eCo-centricity in emergency triAge Regarding climate changE consequences (I-CARE THE 3 Cs): study protocol

Background: Climate change, ambient air pollution, and non-optimal temperatures are recognized as a global health emergency. Many studies have highlighted increases in the number of emergency hospital admissions and hospitalizations for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases associated with non-optimal temperatures, unconventional gas reserves, particulate matter, grounded level O3, sulphur dioxide, or nitrogen dioxide exposure. Problem statement: According to the Swiss Health Observatory, 14% of the Swiss population used a hospital emergency department (ED) at least once in 2016, representing 1,7 million admissions or 4,718 admissions per day. In the face of evolving climate-associated reasons for presenting at the ED, the scales used for emergency triage are now proving insufficient for their task. It is becoming critical to introduce and implement more appropriate ED triage tools that incorporate risk factors such as ambient temperature and air pollution. It will also require raising nurses’ eco-literacy, eco-responsibility, and eco-centricity, which are currently rated as moderate to low, to ensure adaptation and/or mitigation in the face of this global threat. Future directions and perspectives for the nursing discipline: The nursing discipline must develop its eco-literacy, eco-responsibility, and eco-centricity to take social and professional responsibility for addressing the health-related impacts of climate change. To do so, the research project’s overall aim, which will be achieved in five stages, is to develop, pilot-test, and evaluate the feasibility of a complex nursing intervention named “Education Intervention promoting eCo-literacy, eCo-responsibility, and eCo-centricity in emergency triAge Regarding climate changE consequences (I-CARE the 3 Cs). The I-CARE the 3 Cs intervention aims to provide an adequate, effective, efficient, fair, safe, and patient-centered response to patients’ and nurses’ needs and to develop guidelines for dealing with the health consequences of climate change.

기후변화 건강영향 리뷰: 건강 부문 리스크를 중심으로

기후변화 건강영향 리뷰: 건강 부문 리스크를 중심으로

Adolescents Concerned about Climate Change: A Hermeneutic Study.

Climate change is a public health threat on a global scale. Over the last two decades, research has uncovered the myriad health effects of climate change and its associated costs. The literature is also beginning to show the direct and indirect effects of climate change to be an indicator of increased adverse mental health outcomes including excessive worry, anxiety, grief, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The development of scales to measure some of these effects in adult populations has shown the critical need to understand the various ways climate change affects mental well-being in adolescent populations who are at a critical juncture in psychological development. The purposes of this study were to understand the lived experience of adolescents who are concerned about climate change and uncover the meaning of climate change concern for adolescents as informed by emerging patterns. This study utilized Hermeneutic Phenomenology as a philosophical foundation and methodological approach for data retrieval and analysis. An interview-based approach with a purposeful sample (n = 11, aged 12-17 years) revealed the multi-layered elements of climate change concern and its effects. Three patterns emerged: Climate Change as a Temporal Threat and Pressure, Awareness and Concern as a Continuum, and Experiencing Concern and Making Meaning. These findings may now inform interdisciplinary knowledge on upstream mitigation efforts and the promotion of positive outcomes relating to climate change. The need for focused educational attention to adolescent behaviors and concerns is explicated and exemplified.

Identifying patients' cardiovascular vulnerability against atmospheric parameters and air pollution

Abstract Background Atmospheric parameters are direct environmental factors on the human body. There is a growing concern that atmospheric parameters might have a potential cardiovascular (CV) effect and increase morbidity and mortality. The health effects of climate change and air pollution are already major public health issues. In the future, the growing concern about unfavorable atmospheric situations and air pollution can further increase this problem. Despite the importance of different atmospheric parameters’ CV risks, there are few studies about identifying vulnerable populations against atmospheric parameters and air pollution. Purpose We aimed to explore vulnerable populations against atmospheric parameters. Methods The study comprised 7230 hospitalized patients with acute CV diseases (ACVDs). Demographic and individual CV risk factor data were collected for each patient. We examined the relationship between demographic characteristics (age, sex) and CV risk factors (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, previous CV diseases) and meteorological and air pollution parameters on a day-to-day basis in a 5-year time period (2017-2021) using a General Additive Model with cubic splines of covariates, regularized by a ridge penalty, and employing generalized cross-validation. Results Patients with diabetes were detected as the most vulnerable group against atmospheric parameters. The interaction between temperature change (5°C≤) and elevated ozone concentration (90 µg/m³≤) showed a positive association with daily diabetic patients’ hospitalization counts (p&amp;lt;0.001). The relative strength of the association with demographic characteristics was the largest between daily temperature variation (5°C≤) and patients with age 55 or more (p=0.002). The effect of temperature change (5°C≤) and elevated ozone concentration (90 µg/m³≤) was positively associated with the daily hospitalization counts of male patients (p&amp;lt;0.001). Conclusions In our study, we can identify vulnerable subpopulations that have increased CV risk during specific atmospheric conditions. The importance of our findings is growing in the context that extreme atmospheric conditions and air pollution are likely to become more common in the future. In conclusion, a better understanding of vulnerability could help establish new CV prevention strategies.

Climate change-related health hazards in daycare centers in Munich, Germany: risk perception and adaptation measures

Due to their vulnerability, children need special protection from health effects of climate change, which are already noticeable today. Since a large proportion of children in Germany are in non-parental care during the day, the pedagogical staff in daycare centers play a crucial role in protecting children’s health. For this reason, a quantitative online survey was conducted among pedagogical staff (n = 181) in daycare centers of one provider in Munich, where children aged nine weeks to 10 years are cared for. It was examined how the pedagogical staff assesses the risk of climate change-related health hazards on children’s health and on its own health at work today and in the next 10 years. Additionally, it was surveyed whether or which measures for (health-related) adaptation to climate change and long-term climate change mitigation in the form of education for sustainable development (ESD) are implemented in the daycare centers. The results were statistically analyzed both descriptively and with multiple linear regression analyses to test the assumed associations. The results show that despite the strong perception of climate change-related health risks, their implementation in corresponding protection and adaptation measures is insufficient in most of the daycare centers surveyed. The informedness of the pedagogical staff proved to be a decisive influencing factor in the implementation of measures. Therefore, in addition to stronger implementation of structural adaptation measures in daycare centers, target group-specific knowledge and instructions for action should also be increasingly conveyed in the training curricula and further education of pedagogical staff.

Climate-health tele-education as a force multiplier: A train-the-trainer ECHO course series

IntroductionClimate change is a health emergency and healthcare professionals represent critical and trusted points of contact between communities and the health effects of climate change. However, healthcare professionals require training in the complex dynamics governing the interaction between climate and health as this education is not a part of traditional healthcare oriented curricula. MethodsFrom February-April 2022, a free, live-virtual, 8-session climate and health course was offered in a collaboration between the Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education (GCCHE), Project ECHO and the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The goal of the course was to increase health professionals’ knowledge, self-efficacy, and communication skills related to the climate crisis. Participants were invited to complete pre-, post- and 6-month post surveys to assess their readiness to lead climate and health education and programmatic development at their own institutions or within their own communities. ResultsBetween February-April 2022, 1,047 unique attendees participated in the Climate and Health Responder ECHO series. The primary outcome measured of communication regarding climate change trended toward increased communication. Survey respondents reported increased motivation to teach climate and health topics and confidence in training others following completion of the course. ConclusionLive-virtual, evidence, and competency-based courses have the potential to change health professional behaviors towards addressing the climate impacts on health and equip health professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to implement climate and health programs in their own work in order to scale-up climate and health knowledge, self-efficacy, and communication skills.