Climate change and human illness : a hot topic?

Abstract

Global climate change, now proven to occur under the influence of human activity, can affect human health and illness. Aside from the risk of natural disasters and diminishing fresh-water supply and arable land, climate change maintains a complex relationship with both communicable and non-communicable forms of illness. The epidemiology of infectious diseases, whether viral, parasitic, or bacterial, has shown to change under the influence of climate, particularly in the case of vector-borne zoonoses. Non-communicable disease, however, including allergic, respiratory, cardiovascular and dermatological, are also influenced by global and regional changes in climate.While further research in this area is recommended, the role of the clinician in educating communities on the negative health impact of climate change, as well as the potential benefit of sustainable healthcare policy, are yet to be defined.