Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health: Emerging Evidence and Call to Action

Glossary definitions and references:

Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health: Emerging Evidence and Call to Action”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.

1) Disease:
Disease refers to health conditions that can arise from various factors including climate change. The text mentions climate-sensitive diseases, emphasizing their increased incidence due to changing environmental conditions exacerbated by climate factors, signifying the urgent need for healthcare systems to address these emerging threats.

2) Food:
Food is crucial to human survival and is directly affected by climate change. The text discusses food security, highlighting how extreme heat and drought can threaten agriculture, leading to potential hunger and malnutrition, underscoring the importance of sustainable food production in the face of climate impacts.

3) Anxiety:
Anxiety, particularly climate anxiety, is a growing mental health issue linked to the unpredictability of climate change. The text emphasizes that this aspect is often overlooked, especially among youth who face significant emotional distress regarding their futures, calling for research and intervention in mental health related to climate impacts.

4) Animal:
Animals play a vital role in the emergence of infectious diseases, particularly through zoonotic spillover events. The text discusses how environmental changes driven by climate impact animal habitats and behaviors, increasing the risk of pathogens jumping to humans, necessitating a focus on human-animal interactions for disease prevention.

5) Death:
The text references potential increases in deaths attributable to climate-sensitive diseases, with estimates suggesting significant mortality due to undernutrition, infectious diseases, and heat-related illnesses from 2030 to 2050. This illustrates the severe health consequences of climate change and the urgency of addressing these issues.

6) Diet:
Diet refers to the nutritional choices people make, which are increasingly being linked to climate health impacts. The text suggests the adoption of the Planetary Health Diet, promoting nutrition while protecting the environment, indicating a need for holistic approaches to dietary practices amid climate crises.

7) Science (Scientific):
Science is essential for understanding the complexities of climate change and its health impacts. The text discusses research advancements that provide insights into disease transmission and health outcomes, highlighting the role of scientific inquiry in developing evidence-based solutions to mitigate and adapt to climate-related health issues.

8) Study (Studying):
Study refers to rigorous research that investigates the relationships between climate change and health outcomes. The text mentions various studies that project fatalities associated with climate impacts, underlining the importance of academic work in shaping policy and awareness about the health consequences of climate change.

9) Mental health:
Mental health encompasses emotional and psychological well-being, which can be adversely affected by climate change. The text highlights growing concerns over climate anxiety among vulnerable populations, particularly youth, indicating the necessity for integrated mental health resources to address the emotional toll of climate-related uncertainties.

10) Transmission:
Transmission pertains to the spread of infectious diseases, a process mentioned in relation to zoonotic diseases influenced by climate change. The text emphasizes how ecological changes could increase cross-species transmission events, signaling the need for vigilant public health measures to prevent future pandemics stemming from environmental shifts.

11) Species:
Species refers to distinct groups of organisms whose interactions are crucial in ecological balance and disease dynamics. The text addresses concerns related to biodiversity loss due to climate change, which can elevate the risk of zoonotic diseases, reinforcing the need for conservation as part of wider health solutions.

12) Nature:
Nature embodies the natural environment, which is undergoing significant changes due to human-driven climate alterations. The text acknowledges how these changes impact health through mechanisms such as altered habitats and increased disease transmission, urging a more ecological perspective in addressing health crises linked to climate change.

13) Water:
Water is a fundamental resource for life and essential for health, yet is vulnerable to climate change impacts. The text mentions how extreme weather can lead to water-borne diseases and references the necessity of ensuring access to clean water as part of health and sustainability discussions.

14) Post:
Post refers to events following significant occurrences, such as natural disasters linked to climate change. The text notes the importance of addressing post-traumatic stress and mental health issues in communities affected by climate crises as part of comprehensive health strategies that consider both immediate and long-term impacts.

15) Malnutrition:
Malnutrition results from inadequate or unbalanced dietary intake, a risk exacerbated by climate-related agricultural disruptions. The text illustrates how climate change can lead to decreased crop yields, thereby increasing vulnerability to malnutrition, particularly in marginalized communities, stressing the need for adaptive strategies in food security.

16) Agriculture:
Agriculture is central to food production and is heavily impacted by climate change. The text discusses the urgency of enhancing agricultural resilience to climate impacts, as farming practices must evolve to meet both food security needs and environmental sustainability goals in a changing climate.

17) Discussion:
Discussion involves dialogues among stakeholders regarding important topics. The text highlights the necessity for discussions at conferences like COP26, focusing on integrating health and climate objectives. This underscores a collective effort to address climate impacts comprehensively across sectors and foster collaborative partnerships.

18) Teaching:
Teaching is a vital part of preparing future healthcare professionals to address emerging health threats due to climate change. The text emphasizes the importance of incorporating climate-related health issues into medical education, ensuring that upcoming generations are equipped to manage health challenges linked to climate crises.

19) Learning:
Learning involves acquiring knowledge and skills, and in the context of climate change, it refers to educating individuals about the health impacts of climate crises. The text advocates for learning initiatives that capture lived experiences and develop interventions that enhance community resilience to climate challenges.

20) Habitat:
Habitat refers to the natural environments where species live, which are being altered by climate change. The text notes how habitat disturbances contribute to the emergence of pathogens, highlighting the need for strategies focused on maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance to reduce disease transmission risks.

21) Citizen:
Citizens are individuals living within a community who play a role in advocacy and action regarding climate and health issues. The text stresses the importance of citizen engagement in pushing for climate-resilient policies and fostering community initiatives aimed at mitigating health impacts from climate change.

22) Company:
Company, in the context of the text, may refer to corporations involved in industries that contribute to climate change. There is an implicit call for companies to take responsibility for their environmental impact, highlighting the need for sustainable practices that consider health consequences associated with climate issues.

23) Trade:
Trade refers to the exchange of goods and services, which can impact health and environmental conditions. The text indirectly addresses the need to consider the impacts of wildlife trade and consumption on zoonotic disease emergence, emphasizing the necessity of regulating trade practices to prevent health crises.

24) Visit:
Visit in this context suggests interactions or gatherings for the purpose of assessment or discussion. The text's reference to gathering health professionals for discussions about climate-related health impacts highlights the importance of collaborative efforts and shared insights to develop proactive health strategies against climate challenges.

25) Cina:
China is mentioned in relation to recent extreme heat events affecting public health. Its experiences serve as an example of how different regions are facing climate impacts, underscoring the need for global solidarity and shared learning to tackle the health implications of climate change on a broader scale.

26) Pari:
Pari likely refers to the Paris Agreement, an international treaty aiming to mitigate climate change. The text implies that achieving the goals of this agreement is crucial to prevent future pandemics and health crises, emphasizing the interconnectedness of climate action and public health.

27) Meat:
Meat production is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. The text hints at the need for sustainable practices in animal farming, advocating for dietary changes that reduce environmental impacts while ensuring nutritional security, emphasizing the link between food choices and climate health.

28) Bell:
Bell signifies an alarm or warning signal regarding urgent issues. In the text, emerging health challenges stemming from climate change serve as alarming indicators that require immediate attention from the medical community, encouraging proactive measures to address these critical public health implications.

29) Crop:
Crops are vital for food security, and their yields are directly influenced by climate change. The text discusses how changes in temperature and precipitation patterns affect agricultural productivity, emphasizing the importance of developing resilient crop varieties and sustainable farming practices to cope with climate impacts.

30) Viru:
Viru likely refers to viruses, particularly those that can be transmitted to humans through zoonotic spillover. The text discusses the increased risk of cross-species transmission of viruses due to climate change, highlighting the need for public health strategies to monitor and prevent such emerging infectious diseases.

31) Life:
Life refers to the existence and health of living beings, which are profoundly affected by climate change. The text emphasizes the urgency of addressing climate-related health impacts to safeguard human life, underlining how intertwined our health and environmental conditions are in the face of a climate crisis.