Public Health Challenges Due to Climate Change

This article discusses the impact of climate change on public health, including the epidemiological impacts of vector-borne and food-borne diseases, as well as water-borne disease transmission after natural disasters. It also suggests population-based strategies to mitigate these impacts.

Running head: PUBLIC HEALTH CHALLENGES DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE
PUBLIC HEALTH CHALLENGES DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE
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1PUBLIC HEALTH CHALLENGES DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE
Climate Change and Epidemiology
Climatic changes have been associated with dynamic alterations in rainfall resulting in
warming of areas which were initially colder or drier for the habitation of vector organisms like
mosquitoes [1]. Thus, this results in increased transmission of vector borne diseases as a result of
climate change, as observed in Africa where climatic warming Eastern African highlands have
increased the epidemiology of malaria in that area [2]. Additional epidemiological impacts have
been observed in the Australian context where, a rise in temperatures due to warming – a
conducive environment for food borne disease-causing microorganism to proliferate – have been
associated with higher food poisoning incidences in Australia [3]. Likewise, the impact of
climate change on disease epidemiology is observed during the aftermath of natural disasters like
floods, which have been associated with damage or contamination to a nation’s water bodies and
sewerage lines and resulted water borne disease transmission [4]. In addition to the health
department, additional specialists like environmentalists as well as governmental department like
the Department of the Environment and Energy may need to be involved, as observed in the
implementation of disaster management strategies like the ‘National Climate Resilience and
Adaptation Strategy’ [5].
Population-based Strategies
A major population based strategy would include disaster management strategies such as
establishment of warning systems to ensure timely evacuation from the area, protection and
restoration of wetlands, establishment of pavements and walkways which can water from rising
sea levels to barrels or gardens and increased plantation of trees [6]. Additional strategies will

2PUBLIC HEALTH CHALLENGES DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE
include reducing the emissions of greenhouse gases across appliances, automobiles and
industries, reducing a population’s carbon footprint and adopting sustainable usage of energy, for
example: switching of the lights when not in use. Governments as well as public health
organizations can implement disaster management resilience training to staff to ensure improved
management of casualties and occurrences of any diseases [7].

3PUBLIC HEALTH CHALLENGES DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE
References
1. Al-Delaimy WK, Krzyzanowski M. A policy brief: climate change and epidemiology.
Epidemiology. 2019 Jan 1;30(1):1-3.
2. Department of the Environment and Energy. Climate change impacts in Australia
[Internet]. Department of the Environment and Energy. 2019 [cited 19 September 2019].
Available from: https://www.environment.gov.au/climate-change/climate-science-data/
climate-science/impacts.
3. Department of the Environment and Energy. National Climate Resilience and Adaptation
Strategy [Internet]. Department of the Environment and Energy. 2019 [cited 19
September 2019]. Available from:
https://www.environment.gov.au/climate-change/adaptation/strategy.
4. Hongoh V, Michel P, Gosselin P, Samoura K, Ravel A, Campagna C, Cissé H, Waaub
JP. Multi-stakeholder decision aid for improved prioritization of the public health impact
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on waterborne diseases: a systematic review of relationships between diarrheal diseases
and temperature, rainfall, flooding, and drought. Environmental science & technology.
2016 Apr 25;50(10):4905-22.
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of Science. 2019 [cited 19 September 2019]. Available from:

4PUBLIC HEALTH CHALLENGES DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE
https://www.science.org.au/curious/earth-environment/climate-change-and-human-
health.
7. Negev M, Paz S, Clermont A, Pri-Or N, Shalom U, Yeger T, Green M. Impacts of
climate change on vector borne diseases in the Mediterranean Basin—implications for
preparedness and adaptation policy. International journal of environmental research and
public health. 2015 Jun;12(6):6745-70.