Experts warn that climate change is worsening health issues, increasing diseases and food poisoning risks
London: Climate change is set to take a toll on the health of people in the UK. Experts are raising alarms about rising food poisoning cases, allergies, and the potential spread of diseases like Zika and dengue fever.
The World Health Organization has pointed out that climate change threatens clean air, safe drinking water, and nutritious food. This could undo years of progress in global health.
Marisa Miraldo, a health economics professor at Imperial College, shared that climate change not only raises the risk of new diseases but also worsens existing health problems.
According to reports from the UK Health Security Agency, climate change could lead to an additional 10,000 deaths each year by 2050, affecting everything from food safety to allergies.
Miraldo emphasized that the health impact in Britain could be significant. Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns are expanding the habitats of disease-carrying insects, leading to more infectious diseases.
Extreme weather events, like heatwaves, can worsen respiratory and heart conditions. They also create unpredictable demands on healthcare, straining emergency services and disrupting regular care.
As the UK heats up, diseases carried by mosquitoes, like chikungunya and dengue, could become a real threat in cities like London, according to the UKHSA.
Many diseases are sensitive to climate changes, and even a slight temperature rise can lead to new illnesses spreading in the UK.
The UKHSA noted that with warmer weather, the risk of new infectious diseases, especially those spread by mosquitoes and ticks, is increasing. This could widen health inequalities, hitting poorer communities the hardest.
Miraldo pointed out that even wealthier countries will face rising healthcare costs and system pressures, particularly affecting underserved communities as they deal with heat-related illnesses and mental health issues.
Food poisoning is another concern, as bacteria thrive in warmer conditions. A report from the Department of Health indicates that cases linked to heat are already on the rise.
By 2050, we could see 10,000 more food poisoning cases each year. Miraldo warned that the effects of climate change will be cascading, impacting everything from health conditions to our food supply.
Heatwaves are also expected to lead to more kidney problems, like kidney stones, which are painful and caused by dehydration. The incidence of kidney stones has been rising over the past two decades, and as temperatures climb, more people will likely suffer from them.
Older individuals, especially those with existing health issues, will feel the impact of climate change the most. Miraldo noted that climate pressures intersect with the growing challenge of multiple chronic conditions, worsened by heat stress and food insecurity.
Research from the US suggests that cardiovascular deaths could more than double by 2050 due to climate change. Rising heat and air pollution will contribute to this surge, with poorer communities facing the brunt of the impact.
Miraldo concluded that vulnerable populations, especially in low-income areas, will be disproportionately affected, facing complex health challenges as climate change increases the global disease burden and widens health inequalities.
