The diverse effects of climate change on health and related associations

Abstract

As the validity of climate change is tossed around like a political football, its effects on the health of the current and future populations continue to worsen. The effects are being seen across the globe, and they have social, ecological, and biological health implications. Populations are aging at rapid rates, creating larger demographics of people with social and physical dependency. This, combined with the current social and health inequity, will result in an increased burden of temperature-related morbidity and mortality on the elderly and racial minorities through the biological effects of extreme temperature. Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer in the world and will especially see sharp increases, as temperature rise exacerbates its effects. The extreme temperature from climate change is also negatively affecting agriculture and the symbiosis between humans and the environment, impacting not only our food systems, but our safety nets too. All these three components (social, ecological, and biological) interact and influence one another. This literature review analyzes the current research into these areas and describes their interplay, while suggesting novel approaches to address the impact climate change is having and will have on the health of the world.