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The 2019 Report of The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change

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The Lancet Countdown is an international, multidisciplinary collaboration, dedicated to monitoring the evolving health profile of climate change, and providing an inde pendent assessment of the delivery of commitments made by governments worldwide under the Paris Agreement. The 2019 report presents an annual update of 41 indicators across five key domains: climate change impacts, exposures, and vulnerability; adaptation, planning, and resilience for health; mitigation actions and health co­benefits; economics and finance; and public and political engagement. The report represents the findings and consensus of 35 leading academic institutions and UN agencies from every continent. Each year, the methods and data that underpin the Lancet Countdown’s indicators are further developed and improved, with updates described at each stage of this report. The collaboration draws on the world­class expertise of climate scientists; ecologists; mathematicians; engineers; energy, food, and transport experts; economists; social and political scientists; public health professionals; and doctors, to generate the quality and diversity of data required. The science of climate change describes a range of possible futures, which are largely dependent on the degree of action or inaction in the face of a warming world. The policies implemented will have far­reaching effects in determining these eventualities, with the indicators tracked here monitoring both the present­day effects of climate change, as well as the worldwide response. Understanding these decisions as a choice between one of two pathways—one that continues with the business as usual response and one that redirects to a future that remains ‘‘well below 2°C’’—helps to bring the importance of recognising the effects of climate change and the necessary response to the forefront. Evidence provided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the International Energy Agency, and the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration clarifies the degree and magnitude of climate change experienced today and contextualises these two pathways

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... 6 While these unprecedented temperature projections depict global averages, greater regional variations will gravely amplify risks for populations who may lack adaptive capacity due to existing vulnerabilities and inequities. 2 Such levels would challenge the maintenance of acceptable global health systems and escalate to repetitive humanitarian crises, including for the increasingly urban populations which are now forming a greater part of the population served by humanitarian organizations and which are impacted by the consequences of air pollution. 2 The additional risks of extreme weather events, altered patterns of infectious disease, water scarcity and food insecurity have the potential to generate critical levels of mortality and morbidity. ...
... 6 While these unprecedented temperature projections depict global averages, greater regional variations will gravely amplify risks for populations who may lack adaptive capacity due to existing vulnerabilities and inequities. 2 Such levels would challenge the maintenance of acceptable global health systems and escalate to repetitive humanitarian crises, including for the increasingly urban populations which are now forming a greater part of the population served by humanitarian organizations and which are impacted by the consequences of air pollution. 2 The additional risks of extreme weather events, altered patterns of infectious disease, water scarcity and food insecurity have the potential to generate critical levels of mortality and morbidity. 2 Some populations will be able to adjust to new environmental conditions, but many communities will face extreme situations, resulting in increased levels of migration. ...
... 24 Prolonged droughts have the potential to reduce access to potable water, decrease crop yields, and increase food insecurity and malnutrition, which can lead to stunting, wasting and death in children. 2 Reductions in arable and habitable land as a result of drought may also be associated with increased spread of water-borne disease (principally due to contamination of increasingly scarce water sources) and increased migration, making prolonged drought one of the most dangerous environmental determinants of premature mortality. 2 As witnessed by MSF fieldworkers, a lack of water deepens people's suffering and threatens survival. ...
... 109 Professional engagement in climate change has been an area of significant progress in the global effort to combat climate change within the last decade and should continue into the future. 110 Adaptation. Increasing temperature due to climate change could reduce workability in many parts of the Western Pacific region. ...
... 112,113 Although OR air-conditioning systems provide an effective means of climate change adaptation, they could paradoxically worsen climate change and harm health through energy use and air pollutant production. 68,110 The energy-efficient OR building design considerations aforementioned in the infrastructure section could also reduce air conditioner use and improve workability. 41 Information management ...
... 45,101 Thirdly, meteorological data should be linked with surgical data to examine the impact of weather variables on surgically treated diseases and surgical care outcomes. 68,110,114 They could be coupled with diseasespecific registries or existing efforts to monitor perioperative complications, such as peri-operative mortality as an LCoGS indicator. 1 Quality data are notably lacking in disaster response. ...
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Five billion people lack access to surgical care worldwide; climate change is the biggest threat to human health in the 21st century. This review studies how climate change could be integrated into national surgical planning in the Western Pacific region. We searched databases (PubMed, Web of Science, and Global Health) for articles on climate change and surgical care. Findings were categorised using the modified World Health Organisation Health System Building Blocks Framework. 220 out of 2577 records were included. Infrastructure: Operating theatres are highly resource-intensive. Their carbon footprint could be reduced by maximising equipment longevity, improving energy efficiency, and renewable energy use. Service delivery Tele-medicine, outreaches, and avoiding desflurane could reduce emissions. Robust surgical systems are required to adapt to the increasing burden of surgically treated diseases, such as injuries from natural disasters. Finance: Climate change adaptation funds could be mobilised for surgical system strengthening. Information systems: Sustainability should be a key performance indicator for surgical systems. Workforce: Surgical providers could change clinical, institutional, and societal practices. Governance: Planning in surgical care and climate change should be aligned. Climate change mitigation is essential in the regional surgical care scale-up; surgical system strengthening is also necessary for adaptation to climate change.
... Global research on the health effects of heat is increasing. Among others, the 2015 Lancet Commission on Health and Climate Change developed and progressively monitors key heathealth indicators including vulnerability to the heat-related risks of climate change, exposure to temperature change, exposure to heatwaves, changes in labour productivity and the economic costs of heat (Watts et al., 2015;The Lancet, 2017;Watts et al., 2017). The 2020 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change examines several dimensions of the effects of heat and heatwaves covering exposure, vulnerability, labour capacity and mortality resulting in a compendium of robust evidence for adaptation, planning and resilience for health (Watts et al., 2020a(Watts et al., , 2020b. ...
... Among others, the 2015 Lancet Commission on Health and Climate Change developed and progressively monitors key heathealth indicators including vulnerability to the heat-related risks of climate change, exposure to temperature change, exposure to heatwaves, changes in labour productivity and the economic costs of heat (Watts et al., 2015;The Lancet, 2017;Watts et al., 2017). The 2020 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change examines several dimensions of the effects of heat and heatwaves covering exposure, vulnerability, labour capacity and mortality resulting in a compendium of robust evidence for adaptation, planning and resilience for health (Watts et al., 2020a(Watts et al., , 2020b. The Lancet Countdown reports present comprehensive findings on heat anomalies and human health, summarised in Table 1. ...
... The heat vulnerability index includes indicators such as "proportion of the population over 65 years, the prevalence of cardiovascular, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases among population over 65 years and the proportion of the population living in urban (i.e., urbanisation rate)", p. 11 (Cai et al., 2020). These indicators exclude persons that are vulnerable to heat due to limited access to healthcare, poor health status, low socioeconomic status, the prevalence of cooling devices or green areas in cities and the existence of heat early-warning systems (Watts et al., 2020a(Watts et al., , 2020b. ...
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Exposure to heat and heatwaves are associated with mortality and may amplify morbidities. In a climate change context, projections suggest temperatures will likely rise in the foreseeable future. Our paper assesses the current knowledge on human health effects of heat exposure and gathered local knowledge of heat-health effects in a rural area of the Agincourt sub-district of South Africa. Existing, peer-reviewed published literature on heat effects on human health as well as heat-health indicators was reviewed. Interviews and structured observations to collect data on heat effects on human health in Agincourt sub-district were conducted. The Lancet Countdown heat-related indicators were applied as a framework against which to discuss our findings. A total of 93 participants who lived in Agincourt sub-district for 5 years and more were interviewed. Participants reported that temperatures, especially summertime temperatures, had been rising over the past years. Health effects of heat were deemed more apparent in relation to morbidity. Heatwaves were not easily comprehensible as singular ‘events’, and their effects were poorly understood. The population groups disproportionately affected by heat included infants, the elderly, those living with disability and outdoor workers. High ambient temperatures were deemed to be associated with reduced labour productivity of outdoor workers. Community-level perceptions of heat impacts on health were mainly related to illnesses and diseases, with no understanding of mortality risk. Future health awareness campaigns that encompass the full range of heat-health impacts are essential to reduce vulnerability, morbidity, and mortality. Our study provided location-specific, qualitative, and indicator-aligned data for a geographic area expected to undergo significant heat stress in the future. The study findings have significant research, policy, and practice implications in similar resource-limited settings.
... This population further consists of the most vulnerable groups, which are dependent on agricultural or coastal livelihoods affected by climate change (CC) [2]. The environmental consequences of CC, such as rising temperatures, droughts, sea-level rise, flooding, and forest fires, have continued to affect human health [3]. Several larger studies and reviews have shown negative health effects of CC, including an increase in infections, respiratory disorders, heat stress-related morbidity, deaths, food insecurity, and adverse health impacts caused by sociopolitical instability and conflicts that arise after CC devastation events such as floods [3][4][5]. ...
... The environmental consequences of CC, such as rising temperatures, droughts, sea-level rise, flooding, and forest fires, have continued to affect human health [3]. Several larger studies and reviews have shown negative health effects of CC, including an increase in infections, respiratory disorders, heat stress-related morbidity, deaths, food insecurity, and adverse health impacts caused by sociopolitical instability and conflicts that arise after CC devastation events such as floods [3][4][5]. 1 2 3, 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 Pakistan ranks among the five most CC-affected countries globally, attributed to its documented history of severe weather events between 1999 and 2018 [6]. The devastating impacts of CC and extreme weather can exacerbate the existing problems of poverty and food insecurity in the country. ...
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Background: Climate change (CC) persists as a critical public health concern, vividly demonstrated by Pakistan's severe unprecedented flooding from June to October 2022. The interplay between floods and CC highlights the urgent need to comprehend their complex dynamics. Given Pakistan's significant geographical vulnerability to CC events, assessing public awareness of CC becomes essential. This study aims to evaluate public knowledge, attitudes, and perception (KAP) regarding CC and its implications for overall health, reflecting onto governmental policies and community-based guidelines and enhancing preparedness for future natural calamities of similar magnitude. Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional survey of Pakistani adults covering all provinces of the country was conducted from January to March 2023 using a prevalidated questionnaire. A purposive sampling strategy was used to enroll participants in the study. Where appropriate, the chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test was used to compare KAP among the sociodemographic groups. Multivariate analysis was used to explore predictors of knowledge. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were calculated considering a p value of ≤0.05 as significant. Results: Among the 714 respondents, 265 (37.1%) of the respondents’ residential areas were affected by the floods in Pakistan. A total of 663 (92.9%) of the participants had heard of CC, with 302 (42.3%) choosing "social media/WhatsApp" as their source of information. Increased flooding and changes in rainfall patterns were selected by 679 (95.1%) and 661 (92.6%) participants, respectively, as the most recognized CC. "Deforestation" was the most indicated reason for CC by 675 (94.5%) participants. Multivariate analysis revealed that females (OR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.16-2.00; p < 0.001), individuals who were affected by recent floods (OR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.05-3.34; p = 0.003), and individuals who were medical students/healthcare workers (OR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.24-2.48; p < 0.001) had greater knowledge of CC than their counterparts. Conclusions: The study reported an encouraging prevalence of knowledge of CC, positive attitudes, and practices toward CC, with an interest in learning and doing more to address the health effects of CC. With the ongoing global CC and a monsoon season forecast of similar intensity for the years to come in Pakistan, identifying groups with less knowledge of CC warrants a targeted education program to maximize awareness. Based on the study findings, social media platforms and interventions in educational institutes should be essential to mitigate the CC events in Pakistan and other vulnerable regions in the area.
... Economic activities, while lifting billions of people out of poverty and raising living standards worldwide, inadvertently release large quantities of harmful substances into the atmosphere with serious negative impacts on human health, well-being, economic productivity, natural ecosystems, and crop yields. Globally, about 4 million cases of premature deaths a year can be attributed to poor outdoor air quality (Burnett et al. 2018;Watts et al. 2019;WHO 2016). Air pollution is also implicated in acute respiratory infections, blindness, heart diseases, and low birth weight, which can affect the quality and longevity of life of millions of people (Branca and Ferrari 2002). ...
... However, despite their economic efficiency, such measures are often not commensurate with the scale of the pollution problems arising from rapid economic growth. This is especially true for cities (WHO 2018) with significant burdens on public health (Burnett et al. 2018;Watts et al. 2019;WHO 2016) and with high productivity losses and health costs (World Bank 2016). ...
... Economic activities, while lifting billions of people out of poverty and raising living standards worldwide, inadvertently release large quantities of harmful substances into the atmosphere with serious negative impacts on human health, well-being, economic productivity, natural ecosystems, and crop yields. Globally, about 4 million cases of premature deaths a year can be attributed to poor outdoor air quality (Burnett et al. 2018;Watts et al. 2019;WHO 2016). Air pollution is also implicated in acute respiratory infections, blindness, heart diseases, and low birth weight, which can affect the quality and longevity of life of millions of people (Branca and Ferrari 2002). ...
... However, despite their economic efficiency, such measures are often not commensurate with the scale of the pollution problems arising from rapid economic growth. This is especially true for cities (WHO 2018) with significant burdens on public health (Burnett et al. 2018;Watts et al. 2019;WHO 2016) and with high productivity losses and health costs (World Bank 2016). ...
... Economic activities, while lifting billions of people out of poverty and raising living standards worldwide, inadvertently release large quantities of harmful substances into the atmosphere with serious negative impacts on human health, well-being, economic productivity, natural ecosystems, and crop yields. Globally, about 4 million cases of premature deaths a year can be attributed to poor outdoor air quality (Burnett et al. 2018;Watts et al. 2019;WHO 2016). Air pollution is also implicated in acute respiratory infections, blindness, heart diseases, and low birth weight, which can affect the quality and longevity of life of millions of people (Branca and Ferrari 2002). ...
... However, despite their economic efficiency, such measures are often not commensurate with the scale of the pollution problems arising from rapid economic growth. This is especially true for cities (WHO 2018) with significant burdens on public health (Burnett et al. 2018;Watts et al. 2019;WHO 2016) and with high productivity losses and health costs (World Bank 2016). ...
... Economic activities, while lifting billions of people out of poverty and raising living standards worldwide, inadvertently release large quantities of harmful substances into the atmosphere with serious negative impacts on human health, well-being, economic productivity, natural ecosystems, and crop yields. Globally, about 4 million cases of premature deaths a year can be attributed to poor outdoor air quality (Burnett et al. 2018;Watts et al. 2019;WHO 2016). Air pollution is also implicated in acute respiratory infections, blindness, heart diseases, and low birth weight, which can affect the quality and longevity of life of millions of people (Branca and Ferrari 2002). ...
... However, despite their economic efficiency, such measures are often not commensurate with the scale of the pollution problems arising from rapid economic growth. This is especially true for cities (WHO 2018) with significant burdens on public health (Burnett et al. 2018;Watts et al. 2019;WHO 2016) and with high productivity losses and health costs (World Bank 2016). ...
... Economic activities, while lifting billions of people out of poverty and raising living standards worldwide, inadvertently release large quantities of harmful substances into the atmosphere with serious negative impacts on human health, well-being, economic productivity, natural ecosystems, and crop yields. Globally, about 4 million cases of premature deaths a year can be attributed to poor outdoor air quality (Burnett et al. 2018;Watts et al. 2019;WHO 2016). Air pollution is also implicated in acute respiratory infections, blindness, heart diseases, and low birth weight, which can affect the quality and longevity of life of millions of people (Branca and Ferrari 2002). ...
... However, despite their economic efficiency, such measures are often not commensurate with the scale of the pollution problems arising from rapid economic growth. This is especially true for cities (WHO 2018) with significant burdens on public health (Burnett et al. 2018;Watts et al. 2019;WHO 2016) and with high productivity losses and health costs (World Bank 2016). ...
... Economic activities, while lifting billions of people out of poverty and raising living standards worldwide, inadvertently release large quantities of harmful substances into the atmosphere with serious negative impacts on human health, well-being, economic productivity, natural ecosystems, and crop yields. Globally, about 4 million cases of premature deaths a year can be attributed to poor outdoor air quality (Burnett et al. 2018;Watts et al. 2019;WHO 2016). Air pollution is also implicated in acute respiratory infections, blindness, heart diseases, and low birth weight, which can affect the quality and longevity of life of millions of people (Branca and Ferrari 2002). ...
... However, despite their economic efficiency, such measures are often not commensurate with the scale of the pollution problems arising from rapid economic growth. This is especially true for cities (WHO 2018) with significant burdens on public health (Burnett et al. 2018;Watts et al. 2019;WHO 2016) and with high productivity losses and health costs (World Bank 2016). ...
... Climate change can affect food security and hence human health in a variety of ways. [22,23]. One important route is through climate change affecting the amount of food produced, both directly and indirectly through implications on water availability and quality, pests and diseases, and pollination services. ...
... Furthermore, due to the agricultural workforce's exposure to high temperatures, the direct effects of altering weather might have an influence on human health. There is the possibility for interactions with food availability due to changes in metabolic needs and physiological stress for persons exposed to severe temperatures; people may require more food to cope while simultaneously being unable to produce it [22]. All of these elements have the potential to affect both physical and cultural health by affecting the amount and quality of food available to people. ...
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Nanotechnology: A promising field of advanced interdisciplinary research has unlocked an extensive range of scenarios in the sectors like agriculture, electronics , pharmacy, healthcare, pest management and much more. In agriculture, the potential uses and benefits of nanotechnology are enormous. With the use of Nanotechnology, the management of insect pests through the formulations of nanomaterial-based insecticides have changed the course of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). Traditional strategies in Integrated Pest Management used in agriculture are insufficient and the application of chemical pesticides have caused adverse effects on animals, human health and the environment. With the utilization of nanotechnological approaches, the green and efficient alternatives would provide the management of insect pests without causing an impact on animals and the environment. The present study aims to focus on the management of insect pests utilizing modern nanotechnological approaches.
... For various reasons, children in Sub-Saharan Africa are particularly susceptible to the effects of climate change. Children are physiologically more vulnerable to waterborne infections, malnourishment, and heat stress (Watts et al., 2019). Due to their limited means of coping with the effects of global warming, children from low-income households are socioeconomically disproportionately affected by climate change (UNICEF, 2014). ...
Article
The world is grappling with major challenges posed by climate change, with the past few years having witnessed catastrophic weather events like floods, storms, wildfires, and record-breaking temperatures worldwide. Children and adolescents are particularly at risk due to their developing brains, heightened vulnerability to illness, and limited capacity to cope with or adapt to these risks. This article examines how climate change affects children's rights in sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on two main questions: Why are children disproportionately affected by climate change, and how are their rights affected? A review of 30 articles from peer-reviewed journals and reports from international organisations think tanks, and NGOs indicated that children suffer uniquely and disproportionately from the harsh effects of climate change due to various socioeconomic, physiological, and developmental factors. This vulnerability is particularly severe for girls and for those facing multiple forms of discrimination and inequality. Evidence suggests that climate change threatens to reverse the progress in protecting and promoting children's rights in sub-Saharan Africa. Protecting children's rights is crucial for achieving effective and sustainable climate action that provides equitable solutions to environmental issues. Therefore, governments and child protection stakeholders must prioritise, incorporate, and integrate children's rights into policies and programs to address climate change.
... Excess mortality from all-causes, cardiovascular, and respiratory symptoms has been attributed in many EMME cities to (mostly) short-term exposure to excessive heat, mainly in terms of increased daily average temperatures (Lubczyńska et al. 2015;Paravantis et al. 2017;Alahmad et al. 2020;Tsekeri et al. 2020;Yamin and Shmueli 2022), with the most vulnerable people being those living in low socio-economic neighborhoods, the elderly, children, and people suffering from existing/chronic diseases (Sorensen and Garcia-Trabanino 2019;Watts et al. 2019;Oppermann et al. 2021;Neira-Zambrano et al. 2023). However, people living in locations that are characterized by a warm climate and are, therefore, repeatedly exposed to excessive heat may adapt to such conditions and develop climate-related health resilience (IPCC 2022), e.g., beneficial physiological adaptations (Sherwood and Huber 2010;Hafen et al. 2018). ...
Article
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This work studies long-term trends of observed meteorological parameters and of exposure to excessive heat over 74 years in Israel (1950–2023). We report an increasing trend of recurring exposure of the Israeli population to excessive heat during most of the summer noon hours, with the heat index often above the physiologically no-risk threshold. Specifically, since the beginning of the millennium, a significant increase in summertime decadal means of ambient noontime temperature (Ta), absolute humidity (AH), and heat index (HI) is evident relative to the 1950’s (Ta: 0.06 °C/year, AH: 0.06 g/m³year, HI: 0.09 °C/year). The experienced increase summertime thermal discomfort by the Israeli population results from the significant and synergistic increase in co-exposure to ambient temperature and humidity. Indeed, long-term satellite data (Landsat 1984–2021) of the east Mediterranean Sea Surface Temperature (SST) reveal a significant change (SST: 0.05 °C/year), which elucidates the corresponding increase in the absolute humidity. Leishmaniasis is a climate-related vector-borne infectious disease. However, the 1956–2017 leishmaniasis incidence rates in Israel do not correlate with the significant increase in the ambient temperature and heat index, representing development of climate resilience in terms of administrated prevention measures (namely, systematic adaptation) to this climate-related disease.
... 2 Asimismo, The Lancet Countdown 2019, determinó que el sector salud afecta al CC, siendo responsable del 4,6% de emisiones globales, repercutiendo en todas las etapas de vida de la persona. 3 En tal sentido, el Consejo Internacional de Enfermería (CIE) y su Código de Ética, indicaron que las enfermeras desempeñan un rol fundamental en el desarrollo sostenible, porque tienen la responsabilidad de contribuir e intervenir en la disminución del CC para amparar la salud. 4 De esta manera, el rol que desempeñan contribuye a mitigar el riesgo climático, apoyar la adaptación climatológica y trabajar en todas las disciplinas para promover poblaciones y comunidades resilientes. ...
Article
Objetivo principal: Explorar y describir las percepciones y actitudes sobre cambio climático en estudiantes universitarios en Perú. Método: Estudio cualitativo descriptivo. Participaron 15 estudiantes del semestre 2022-I de la asignatura Administración y Gerencia en Enfermería; para recolectar los datos se utilizó la entrevista semiestructurada. Los datos fueron procesados mediante el análisis de contenido. Resultados principales: fueron identificados tres categorías: (a) Percepción de los estudiantes sobre enfermedades relacionadas con el cambio climático, (b) Actitudes para revertir el cambio climático, (c) Necesidad de mejorar competencias e inclusión del cambio climático en la carrera de enfermería. Conclusión principal: Los estudiantes identifican ciertas enfermedades relacionadas con el cambio climático principalmente las metaxénicas; además expresan acciones para revertir dichas consecuencias, sin embargo, es necesario implementarlas en su vida cotidiana. Asimismo, destacan la importancia de incluirlo en el plan de estudios, de modo que, sean capaces de responder a este problema de salud pública emergente.
... The growing importance of preparedness management is also underscored by the impact of climate change on global health security. Rising temperatures and altered habitats for disease vectors have been shown to increase the spread of infectious diseases like malaria, dengue fever, and cholera [26]. Extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and floods, have led to displacement, food shortages, and damage to health infrastructure, heightening vulnerability to disease outbreaks and emergencies [27]. ...
Chapter
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The world has encountered a spectrum of global health threats, from several pandemics, bioterrorism, and antimicrobial resistance to natural disasters and, concurrently, changes in governance structures, policy frameworks, and legislation at both the national and international levels. The resulting loss of life, economic disruption, strain on healthcare systems, and social instability profoundly impacted countries’ health security and threatened progress. As demonstrated repeatedly over the past several decades, countries around the globe are generally unprepared and ill-equipped to tackle the potential threats of epidemics, pandemics, and other public health emergencies. The fallout from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) exposed the various deficiencies and vulnerabilities of health systems around the world, even among the most medically advanced nations. To further compound the already challenging global status quo, health equity issues adversely affect underserved communities and low-income countries, thus further contributing to the breakdown in global health security, especially in the era of rapid climate change, widespread medical misinformation, and increasing armed conflicts.
... Climate and ecological breakdown undermine the health and wellbeing of people and communities. 1,2 Health systems need to adapt to the resulting increase in burden of disease and address their contribution to environmental degradation. Canada's healthcare system contributes 4.6% of the country's total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and is the second highest emitting health system on a per capita basis worldwide. ...
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Objective To determine the carbon savings potential of incorporating virtual care into surgical care pathways for pediatric patients with obstructive sleep apnea or otitis media with effusion. Methods Pediatric patients with obstructive sleep apnea or otitis media with effusion were not enrolled, instead, a modeling cohort study design was used. This study utilized the British Columbia healthcare system and geography to model emissions. Care pathways were developed for pediatric patients with obstructive sleep apnea or otitis media with effusion requiring care at a tertiary pediatric center. Home addresses were located at the geographical center of the two most populated municipalities within each of the 10 most populated regional districts in 2020. Virtual visits replaced up to three clinically equivalent in‐person visits. Emissions (kgCO2e) for transport and virtual visits were estimated. Population‐weighted means and descriptive statistics were calculated. Results Utilizing 1, 2, or 3 virtual visits in the obstructive sleep apnea care pathway yielded potential emissions savings of 19.9%, 39.9%, and 59.8% respectively. Integrating 1, 2, or 3 virtual visits into the otitis media with effusion care pathway produced potential emissions savings of 16.6%, 33.2%, and 49.7%, respectively. Integrating 3 virtual visits can save up to 2156.8 kgCO2e per patient. Conclusions Appropriately conducting up to 50% of clinical encounters virtually for children with obstructive sleep apnea or otitis media with effusion reduced theoretical carbon emissions. For a single child, emission savings could reach over 2150 kgCO2e. Level of Evidence Level 5.
... Adverse human health effects from climate change and extreme weather events are well documented. [1][2][3][4][5] The frequency, duration, and intensity of extreme weather events such as heat waves, wildfires, droughts, floods, and storms are increasing, and this pattern is expected to continue. 6 In recognition of the health effects, the American Medical Association declared climate change a public health emergency in 2022, highlighting the need for physicians to address the effects of climate change in their training and practice. ...
Article
The human health consequences of climate change and extreme weather events are well documented. Published literature details the unique effects and necessary adaptation planning for people with physical disabilities in general; however, the specific impacts and plans for people with limb loss have yet to be explored. In this article, we discuss the impacts related to threats due to heat, cold, severe storms, and power outages. We describe how climate change uniquely affects people with limb loss and underscore the need for rehabilitation care providers and researchers to: (1) study the health impacts of climate change on people with lower limb loss; (2) educate themselves and patients on the climate crisis and climate preparedness; (3) co‐develop resiliency strategies with patients, governments, and community organizations to improve adaptive capacity; and (4) advocate for policy changes that will enact protections for this at‐risk population.
... India and China are the two most populous countries globally, and their decisions will have monumental impacts on global climate change. In countries with large populations, the need for sustainable development is particularly pressing[132][133][134][135].The third factor is in uence in science and technology. The United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia hold leadership positions in the eld of science and technology, including research and development in climate science and environmental technologies. ...
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This study aims to explore the research trends and patterns of major issues connecting climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by employing a bibliometric analysis. The study has found that there is an increasing number of research and policies in various countries committed to finding and implementing strategies to solve climate change issues. The countries with the most research in this field are China, India, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, with Environmental Sciences & Ecology being the most published domain. The study has identified 19 clusters intersecting with climate change and SDGs, with the top five clusters in terms of proportion related to agricultural and food systems, water and soil resources, energy, economy, ecosystem, and sustainable management. This study also presents the trend changes of research topics intersecting climate change and SDGs every 2–3 years. Especially in the recent two years, with the convening of COP26 and COP27 and the advocacy of Net Zero and CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) of the EU, important topics include renewable energy, protection of ecosystem services, life cycle assessment, food security, agriculture in Africa, sustainable management, synergies of various policies, remote sensing technology, and desertification among others. This shows an increasingly diversified range of important topics being discussed in relation to climate change and sustainable development goals.
... HS can be presented from heat waves as older adult's exposure to prolonged and unusually high temperatures which obviously affect general health of older adults, and specifically older adults who suffer from different comorbidities. HS is resulting from heat waves as the glob is affected from climate change which threat lives of older adults because of age related changes as a normal process facing all humankind and for other factors such as certain health conditions [2][3]. ...
... Heat will harm health, water-borne and vector-borne illnesses will proliferate, and natural catastrophes and starvation will worsen. This is in addition to the acute effects of natural catastrophes and the socially mediated effects of forced migration and conflict (Watts et al., 2019). In the social sciences, environmental impacts are generally not studied directly. ...
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Is it carelessness regarding climate change knowledge or self-interested ignorance? With the consequences of climate change becoming a global issue, socio-psychological analysis becomes imperative to bring a change in attitude. The study maps the relationship between information sources, self-concern and the concern for climate change. The effect of denial as a mediating variable is investigated between information sources, self-concerns, and the perception of climate change. For this investigation, positivism was used. An exploratory descriptive study examined how information sources, self-concerns, denial, age, gender, qualification, and occupation affect climate change perspective. In July and August 2021, Google Forms were used to acquire a non-probability sample of 474 Indians. Convenience, judgement, and snowballing were employed to get the sample size. Smart PLS 3.3.2 (Smart PLS-SEM) employed partial least square–structural equation modelling. PLS-SEM confirmed the model's factors. According to the results denial completely mediates the association between self-concern and climate change perception, but not between information sources and perception of climate change. The research provides evidence that it is the care less attitude towards the environment and especially climate change that is hindering the change in behaviour of individuals. The research gives an interesting insight into the psychology of individuals. This emerging literature is particularly beneficial to understanding the reason behind failed attempts by environmentalists and scientists to bring a change in the behaviour of people. The research provides a crucial base for the direction of future efforts. As the denial of climate change is a defence strategy, the study suggests that awareness programmes should focus on this fact in order to devise approaches to bring about the desired shift in attitude and behaviour. Moreover, because self-concern increases climate change denial, narratives of policy efforts may emphasize the benefits to individuals.
... 1. Demographic, which included elements related the gender (i.e., women) Veronese et al., 2019;Watts et al., 2019;Yu et al., 2010) and the oldest (i.e., the grand old people: over 85 years old) (Martinez et al., 2021;Goldsmith, 2019;Costa et al., 2017); 2. Socioeconomic, composed by social and economic drivers such as education Marí-Dell'Olmo et al., 2019;Chen et al., 2018;Seebaß, 2017;Koppe et al., 2004), social isolation Breil et al., 2018;Seebaß, 2017;Aubrecht and Ö zceylan, 2013), housing overcrowding (Savić et al., 2018;Méndez-Lázaro et al., 2018;Gronlund et al., 2015), and ethnic minorities coming from poor countries with high migration pressure (Rosenthal et al., 2014;Green et al., 2010;Kalkstein and Davis, 2010); 3. Health, which (in)directly refer to principal chronic diseases considered by the Regional Chronicity Plan (PRC), such as ischemic heart disease , cerebral vascular disease (Tancioni et al., 2008), heart failure (Saczynski et al., 2012), diabetes (Di Domenicantonio et al., 2018;Gnavi et al., 2008), and COPD (Anecchino et al., 2007); 4. Environmental context includes indicators related to the contextual characteristics of the environment which cannot be subject to short-and medium-changes as a result of planning variations aimed at reducing climate change risks. The indicators here included are the following: the percentage of residential buildings in a poor state of preservation (Mutani et al., 2020;Maller and Strengers, 2011), the building density (Kim et al., 2014), the population density (Henseke and Jürgen, 2014;Hondula and Barnett, 2014) and, finally, the areas characterized by remoteness from watercourses (Hsu et al., 2016). ...
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Today the most substantial threats facing cities relate to the impacts of climate change. Extreme temperature such as heat waves and the occurrence of Urban Heat Island (UHI) phenomena, present the main challenges for urban planning and design. Climate deterioration exacerbates the already existing weaknesses in social systems, which have been created by changes such as population increases and urban sprawl. Despite numerous attempts by researchers to assess the risks associated with the heat-health nexus in urban areas, no common metrics have yet been defined yet. The objective of this study, therefore, is to provide an empirical example of a flexible and replicable methodology to estimate the micro-scale UHI risks within an urban context which takes into account all the relevant elements regarding the heat-health nexus. For this purpose, the city of Turin has been used as a case study. The methodological approach adopted is based on risk assessment guidelines suggested and approved by the most recent scientific literature. The risk framework presented here used a quantitative estimate per each census tract within the city based on the interaction of three main factors: hazard, exposure, and vulnerability. Corresponding georeferenced maps for each indicator have been provided to increase the local knowledge on the spatial distribution of vulnerability drivers. The proposed methodology and the related findings represent an initial stage of the urban risk investigation within the case study. This will include participatory processes with local policymakers and health-stakeholders with a view to guiding the local planning agenda of climate change adaptation and resilience strategies in the City of Turin.
... The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report (IPCC) recommends implementing adaptation measures for vulnerable populations through adaptation interventions (Smith et al., 2014). For heat-related mortality this includes heat warning systems paired to heat response strategies, access to air conditioning, and housing improvements that reduce heat stress (Watts et al., 2019). Identifying and protecting those most vulnerable to extreme heat has been recognized as a priority by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) (Hutchins et al., 2018). ...
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Individuals with serious mental illness are vulnerable to extreme heat due to biological, social, and place-based factors. We examine the spatial correlation of prevalence of individuals treated at a community mental health center to heat vulnerability. We applied a heat vulnerability index (HVI) to the catchment of the Connecticut Mental Health Center in New Haven, Connecticut. Geocoded addresses were mapped to correlate patient prevalence with heat vulnerability of census tracts. Census tracts closer to the city center had elevated vulnerability scores. Patient prevalence was positively correlated with HVI score (Pearson’s r(44) = 0.67, p < 0.01). Statistical significance persists after correction for spatial autocorrelation (modified t-test p < 0.01). The study indicates that individuals treated at this community mental health center are more likely to live in census tracts with high heat vulnerability. Heat mapping strategies can help communicate risk and target resources at the local scale.
... It is required to conduct a good analysis of this situation and take strategic steps for the future both scientifically and politically. Although human suffering due to global warming spreads slower than a pandemic, it is the threat that is most likely to harm humanity in the future [24]. A direct relationship between global warming and the COVID-19 pandemic has not yet been demonstrated. ...
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The phenomenon of global climate change, which has been discussed for decades whether it is a possibility or a rumor, has revealed with tangible cases. By the end of 2019, it has become clear that this is a global scientific fact. First year of current decade '2020' has been engraved our memories with abnormal natural events; the most dramatics are the Australian bushfires and the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which is caused by the new type of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). By the emergence of the COVID-19, it has been realized that humanity is helpless against epidemics, as it was in the middle ages, no matter how advanced the technology. Is there a relationship between the COVID-19 pandemicand global warming? It is interesting that this issue, which has been pondered in modern age, was actually addressed about 1000 years ago. Avicenna (Ibn-i Sina) drew attention to negative effects of climate change on health in his studies called the Canonof Medicine. In his corpus, he explained in detail that the changing climate can affect people's physiology and that people with impaired adaptation capacity may be exposed to diseases and epidemics. It is obvious that we have not learned a lesson from the past in our century, in which human beings have largely accepted global warming. Indeed, in such cases, history has the characteristic of repeating itself. For this reason, we have to reconsider Avicenna's determinations and find solutions to the problemof global warming beyond political or economic interests. We can counter possible future pandemics with vaccines, but we cannot end global warming with vaccines. In our review, today when we face global climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic, discussions and scientific data on the pandemic are presented, and Avicenna's physiological perspectives on the subject from 1000 years ago are evaluated.
... In the context of global warming, the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, rapid urbanization, growing population brought about by economic development and the anthropogenic heat generated by the overuse of energy, people will face more and more MHS in the future, especially for China, a developing country with a huge population 10,11 . The frequency of moist heat stress events, increased population exposure, and increasing human health problems caused by MHS have affected economic development to some extent, especially for urban residents with poor ventilation, buildings and impervious surfaces that absorb and retain heat, as well as increased high humidity under anthropogenic heat release 16,24,25 . ...
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Heatwaves have afflicted human health, ecosystem, and socioeconomy and are expected to intensify under warming climate. However, few efforts have been directed to moist heat stress (MHS) considering relative humidity and wind speed, and moist heat stress risk (MHSR) considering exposure and vulnerability. Here we showed MHS and MHSR variations across China during 1998–2100 using China Meteorological Administration Land Data Assimilation System datasets, the 6th Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) merged datasets, Gross Domestic Product, population and leaf area index. We detected increased MHS across China under different Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs). Specifically, the historical MHS occurred mostly during mid-July to mid-August. We found increasing trends of 0.08%/year, 0.249%/year, and 0.669%/year in the MHS-affected areas under SSP126, SSP245, and SSP585, respectively. Furthermore, we observed the highest increasing rate of MHSR in Northwest and Southwest China, while the MHSR across Northeast and North China under SSP126 shifted from increasing to decreasing trends. Noteworthy is that the increasing trend of MHSR under SSP585 is 1.5–2.6 times larger than that under SSP245, especially in North and South China. This study highlights spatiotemporal evolutions of MHS and MHSR and mitigation to moisture heat stress in a warming climate.
... Global warming caused by carbon emissions will pose a considerable threat to public health and welfare in all countries. 1,2 The increase in carbon emissions is often associated with high fossil energy consumption. China is a major energy producer and consumer, and the vigorous development of heavy industry in the early years of the country promoted rapid economic development and greatly improved the living standards of the residents. ...
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China has been a major carbon dioxide emitter. According to the World Energy Statistics Yearbook 2021 published by British Petroleum (BP), China's total carbon emissions in 2020 were 9.899 billion tons, accounting for 30.7% of the world's total emissions and ranking first in the world. Promoting digital economy construction, new‐type urbanization construction and carbon emissions reduction is the focus of the Chinese government. Based on the decoupling model and threshold regression model, this article empirically tests the impact of digital economy and new‐type urbanization on carbon emissions by panel data from 2013–2019 in 30 provinces of China. The results show that there are 23 provinces of China having a better decoupling relationship between digital economy and carbon emissions reduction, and 20 provinces of China having a better decoupling relationship between new‐type urbanization and carbon emissions reduction. In the threshold regression models with energy intensity as the threshold variable, the digital economy has a significant threshold characteristic with a negative non‐linear effect on per capita carbon emissions. The new‐type urbanization also had a significant threshold characteristic with a two‐way non‐linear effect on per capita carbon emissions, but the negative effect is not significant. This means that, during the sample period, the improvement of China's digital economy level can effectively promote carbon emissions reduction. However, the improvement of the new‐type urbanization level curbs carbon emissions reduction.
... Numerical models predict that due to future climate changes, heat spells in the East Mediterranean will become more frequent, more severe, will last for longer periods, and will be characterized by an average temperature in August higher by 1.5-2 °C than its longterm average (Watts et al. 2019). People living in the East Mediterranean will therefore experience chronic/repeated exposure to extreme HI in the summer, which may result in considerable health outcomes. ...
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Exposure to excessive heat can lead to adverse health outcomes in both healthy and vulnerable individuals. This study examines the spatiotemporal variability of exposure to severe heat at the sub-neighborhood scale using temperature and relative humidity measurements of a wireless distributed sensor network (WDSN). First, we demonstrate a multi-sensor calibration scheme for the temperature and the relative humidity sensors. Next, exposure to heat was calculated using the heat index (HI) scale, which enables linking exposure to HI and heat-related health risks. We noticed repeated exposures to excessive heat above the safe threshold for about 8 h per day throughout July–August, 2015, in Haifa, Israel. Persistent exposure to such conditions is unhealthy. The areas that experienced high HI were scattered across the study area, with the HI showing spatiotemporal variability. In general, in some microenvironments, the HI peaked earlier during the day than in other microenvironments. This was attributed to variability in urban physical drivers, which were found to be good predictors of the morning HI variability buildup but less so of the HI variability in the afternoon. Our results are consistent with summer HI occurrence in the study area in the past 20 years. Since exposure to excessive heat in the east Mediterranean is expected to increase in the future due to climate changes, it may result in a grave health toll. Graphical abstract
... 12 Globally, in the past 20 years, heat related mortality among people over 65 has increased by 53.7%. 13 While vulnerabilities to heat related illness have risen globally, countries that have a low to middle Human Development Index (HDI) have seen greater increases in vulnerability than those with a high HDI. 7 ...
... na temperatura mundial e picos de até 3°C na região nortenha do Canadá (Watts et al., 2019). Aumento do nível do mar, perda de biodiversidade, impactos no ecossistema, queimadas, alteração no padrão das chuvas, são responsáveis por intensificar a proliferação de diversos vetores, incluindo da dengue (Watts et al., 2017). ...
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Objetivo: Estimar a tendência temporal dos casos de dengue no Brasil e suas regiões de 2001 a 2020. Metodologia: Trata-se de um estudo ecológico de série temporal sobre os casos de dengue no Brasil e regiões de 2001 a 2020. Os dados foram provenientes do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN), estratificados segundo faixa etária, ano e local. Foram calculadas as taxas de incidência padronizadas (TPI) e estas foram utilizadas para análise de tendência, feita por intermédio do modelo Joinpoint. Resultados: O Brasil ao longo da série temporal apresentou um total de 13.792.923 casos de dengue. A região sudeste predominou com maior número de casos, representando 89,3% (n=12.321.732) do total, seguido de 22,7% (n=3.124.902) do Nordeste, 15,9% (n=2.192.414) do Centro-oeste, 6% (n=826.873) do Norte e 4,9% (n=679.122) do Sul. A tendência temporal no Sul foi de crescimento com VPA de 19,6% ao ano na faixa etária de 20-39 anos e 17% na de 60-79, no grupo geral o crescimento foi de 18,7% (p<0,05). A tendência no Centro-oeste foi de aumento somente no grupo de 80 anos+ com incremento de 18,4% ao ano. As demais localidades e grupos etários apresentaram tendência estacionária (p>0,05). Conclusão: O presente estudo apresentou um índice alto de casos de dengue no Brasil. A tendência temporal da TPI de dengue foi estacionária na maioria das observações, com exceção do Sul e Centro-oeste.
... Today's healthcare professional students are already, and will increasingly be, on the frontline of responding to the impacts of climate change on human health (Watts et al. 2019). Yet, despite overwhelming recognition from health professionals that climate change impacts health, it is unclear in practice how healthcare delivery will become decarbonised and more environmentally and socially sustainable (Kotcher et al. 2021). ...
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Quality improvement (QI) projects are a mandatory part of postgraduate medical training in the UK and graduating medical students must be competent in QI theory. We evaluated an educational toolkit that links concepts of sustainable healthcare with established quality improvement methodologies (the SusQI approach, available at www.susqi.org). The SusQI approach was implemented across a range of undergraduate and postgraduate nursing and medical education contexts. Educational strategies included guided online learning, live interactive webinars, small group activities and scaffolded project work. The evaluation strategy was informed by theories of academic motivation, educational value within communities of practice and behaviour change. A simultaneous nested design was tested using a mixed methods survey with input from learners and teachers. 177 survey responses were analysed to quantify and compare self-rated impacts of teaching across different audiences. Qualitative data were inductively coded into themes that were categorised according to above theoretical frameworks. Participants felt that this was 'time well spent' and many described transformative impacts that guided their daily professional practice beyond learning about QI. We suggest that meaningful space is found within both undergraduate and postgraduate healthcare curricula for SusQI, as a way of engaging and motivating learners to contribute to the creation of a sustainable healthcare system.
... With the overall digital carbon footprint increasing by 8% a year 5 and the unequivocal evidence of climate change's widespread effects on health, rich countries-where digital consumption is the highest-hold specific responsibilities towards low and middle income countries that are disproportionately affected by climate change. 6 The health consequences of growing digital healthcare and analytics on people and the planet cannot be ignored. ...
... In 2019, the Lancet Countdown reports that the life of every child born today will be profoundly affected by climate change, with populations around the world increasingly facing extremes of weather, food and water insecurity, changing patterns of infectious disease and a less certain future. Without accelerated intervention, this new era will come to define the health of people at every stage of their lives (Watts et al. 2019). The COVID-19 pandemic has taught a lesson about how closely environmental, societal and human health are connected. ...
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Correction to: Chapter 24 in: C. Kondrup et al. (eds.), Climate Adaptation Modelling, Springer Climate, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-86211-4_24
... Il peut sembler inhabituel d'aborder la question du changement climatique dans le cadre des activités physiques et surtout celles réalisées en plein air. Or, si on en croit plusieurs rapports internationaux, aucun domaine de la vie humaine n'est et ne sera épargné par les conséquences du changement climatique (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2019 ; Watts et al., 2019). Même si les émissions de gaz à effet de serre se réduisaient drastiquement, et ce dès aujourd'hui, les conséquences négatives des émissions actuelles seraient au moins encore présentes 30 à 40 ans plus tard (Inman, 2008). ...
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Bouger ! C’est ce que les scientifiques nous recommandent pour une meilleure santé et cela fait consensus auprès des scientifiques (Carson, Chaput, Janssen et Tremblay, 2017). Mais plus encore, l’activité physique pratiquée à l’extérieur en plein air serait un excellent moyen de promouvoir un mode de vie sain et actif autant chez les jeunes, que chez les adultes ou encore les plus vieux. En complément, l’activité physique pratiquée dehors permettrait d’obtenir des bénéfices supplémentaires sur la santé, le développement et l’apprentissage des êtres humains. Ce chapitre propose quatre axes de réflexion entre l’activité physique et le plein air sous la forme de leurs influences mutuelles. Il propose une synthèse actualisée des bienfaits connus du plein air et de l’activité physique ainsi que des grandes approches qui existent mêlant activité physique et plein air. Il présente aussi les réponses et adaptations physiologiques majeures de l’activité physique en milieux extrêmes naturels à l’usage des intervenants et des pratiquants. En lien avec les préoccupations actuelles sur la préservation de l’environnement, ce chapitre expose les liens étroits connus entre activité physique et changements climatiques. Enfin, le chapitre se termine en proposant des pistes de recherches futures pour le plein air et l’activité physique et les axes d’un futur agenda de recherche sur ces thématiques.
... Since then, the number of published articles on health impacts of climate change increased by 182% [3]. These studies suggest that climate change is associated with many short-and long-term health effects across the human lifespan, ranging from dehydration to heatstroke, respiratory diseases, infectious diseases, mental health complications, cardiovascular disease, and even death [2][3][4]. As such, climate change is recognized as the "biggest global health threat of the twenty-first century." ...
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Purpose of Review Climate change is the biggest public health threat of the twenty-first century but its impact on the perinatal period has only recently received attention. This review summarizes recent literature regarding the impacts of climate change and related environmental disasters on pregnancy health and provides recommendations to inform future adaptation and mitigation efforts. Recent Findings Accumulating evidence suggests that the changing climate affects pregnancy health directly via discrete environmental disasters (i.e., wildfire, extreme heat, hurricane, flood, and drought), and indirectly through changes in the natural and social environment. Although studies vary greatly in design, analytic methods, and assessment strategies, they generally converge to suggest that climate-related disasters are associated with increased risk of gestational complication, pregnancy loss, restricted fetal growth, low birthweight, preterm birth, and selected delivery/newborn complications. Window(s) of exposure with the highest sensitivity are not clear, but both acute and chronic exposures appear important. Furthermore, socioeconomically disadvantaged populations may be more vulnerable. Summary Policy, clinical, and research strategies for adaptation and mitigation should be continued, strengthened, and expanded with cross-disciplinary efforts. Top priorities should include (a) reinforcing and expanding policies to further reduce emission, (b) increasing awareness and education resources for healthcare providers and the public, (c) facilitating access to quality population-based data in low-resource areas, and (d) research efforts to better understand mechanisms of effects, identify susceptible populations and windows of exposure, explore interactive impacts of multiple exposures, and develop novel methods to better quantify pregnancy health impacts.
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Zusammenfassung: Mit einer zunehmenden Zahl an hitze-assoziierten Todesfällen weltweit werden die Auswir-kungen des Klimawandels und der globalen Erderwärmung immer offensichtlicher. Deshalb sind politische Handlungen unabdingbar, um die irreversiblen Konsequenzen rechtzeitig zu vermeiden. Eine effektive Maßnahme zur Reduktion menschen-verursachter Treibhausgase ist die Umstellung hin zu einer pflanzen-betonten Ernährung. Dieser Grundlagenartikel be-handelt Lösungsansätze, wie eine solche Transformation auf gesamtgesellschaftlicher Ebene erreicht werden kann. Bildung stellt hierbei einen zentralen Aspekt dar, um ein nachhaltiges und gesundheitsbewusstes Handeln in allen Gesellschaftsschichten zu etablieren. Abstract: With an increasing number of heat-related deaths, the effects of climate change and global warming are becoming ever more apparent. Political action is therefore essential to avoid the irreversible consequences in time. One effective measure to reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions is to switch to plant-based diets on all socioeconomic levels. This article deals with possible solutions for achieving such a transformation at all levels of society. Education , as a central aspect of sustainable and health-conscious action is indispensable for this.
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The emerging threats of climate change and their impacts on cities and residents are increasingly highlighting the need to assess whether countries are adequately prepared for the potential consequences of this process. While many international agreements on climate change, sustainable development and environmental protection have been adopted, countries often face various local obstacles that hinder their implementation. To address these issues, this paper reviews the climate change projections, emerging threats and hazards in Lithuania and their potential impacts on the country’s cities and highlights the main challenges in preparing for these growing threats. This article presents an evaluation of the climate change forecasts and past climate events in three selected Lithuanian cities—Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipėda. The study includes a diagnostic assessment of the climate changes since 1961 and climate change forecasts up to 2100, based on the RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios, using regional and global climate models. It identifies the impacts of potential climate change consequences on cities, forming the basis for the evaluation of the urban situation in the country. The urban situation is assessed in terms of legislation, urban development, environmental requirements and the development of safety infrastructure. Based on the evaluation of urban development, preliminary proposals are provided for the creation of a resilient living environment. One of the key proposals in shaping the living environment—which could be particularly significant in adapting to emerging threats—is the complex formation of new, sustainable urban structures that take into account the social, ecological and economic factors of climate change and other rising threats.
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This study aims to explore the research trends and patterns of major issues connecting climate change and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by employing a bibliometric analysis. The study has found that there is an increasing number of research and policies in various countries committed to finding and implementing strategies to solve climate change issues. The countries with the most research in this field are China, India, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, with Environmental Sciences & Ecology being the most published domain. The study has identified 19 clusters intersecting with climate change and SDGs, with the top five clusters in terms of proportion related to agricultural and food systems, water and soil resources, energy, economy, ecosystem, and sustainable management. This study also presents the trend changes of research topics intersecting climate change and SDGs every 2–3 years. Especially in the recent two years, with the convening of COP26 and COP27 and the advocacy of Net Zero and CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) of the EU, important topics include renewable energy, protection of ecosystem services, life cycle assessment, food security, agriculture in Africa, sustainable management, synergies of various policies, remote sensing technology, and desertification among others. This shows an increasingly diversified range of important topics being discussed in relation to climate change and sustainable development goals.
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ABSTRAKPendahuluan: Perawatan kesehatan gigi dan mulut yang optimal terkait dengan sustainability (pelestarian lingkungan) dalam kedokteran gigi bertujuan untuk mencapai praktik kedokteran gigi yang berkualitas dengan dampak negatif yang minimal terhadap lingkungan. Dalam dunia endodontik, salah satu upaya sederhana yang dapat dilakukan oleh dokter gigi saat melakukan perawatan saluran akar adalah dengan menyelesaikan perawatan dalam satu kali kunjungan jika memenuhi indikasi secara klinis dan memungkinkan secara teknis, sehingga dapat mengurangi penggunaan peralatan maupun bahan kedokteran gigi serta jumlah kunjungan pasien. Laporan kasus ini bertujuan untuk menyajikan tindakan perawatan saluran akar satu kali kunjungan pada gigi molar kedua kanan mandibula sebagai salah satu wujud tindakan sustainable dalam bidang endodontik. Laporan kasus: Seorang pasien perempuan berusia 22 tahun datang ke poliklinik konservasi gigi RSGM UNPAD Bandung untuk memperoleh perawatan terhadap keluhan gigi berlubang pada geraham kedua kanan bawahnya dengan riwayat nyeri spontan dan berdenyut yang berlangsung selama beberapa waktu. Pasien mengkonsumsi analgesik untuk meredakan gejalanya sementara waktu. Hasil pemeriksaan objektif menunjukkan karies profunda pada disto-oklusal gigi 47 dengan uji sensibilitas positif, disertai uji perkusi, gigitan, palpasi, dan kegoyangan dalam batas normal. Diagnosis yang ditegakkan adalah pulpitis ireversibel simptomatik dan jaringan apikal normal pada gigi 47. Rencana perawatan adalah berupa perawatan saluran akar satu kali kunjungan dilanjutkan dengan restorasi intermediate komposit direk, kemudian pasien direncanakan untuk dirujuk ke bagian prosthodontik untuk dibuatkan protesa cekat. Simpulan: Salah satu upaya tindakan sustainable dalam bidang endodontik dapat dilakukan dengan melakukan perawatan saluran akar satu kali kunjungan dan pada laporan kasus ini memperlihatkan tingkat keberhasilan perawatan yang tinggi.
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Over 200 health journals call on the United Nations, political leaders, and health professionals to recognise that climate change and biodiversity loss are one indivisible crisis and must be tackled together to preserve health and avoid catastrophe. This overall environmental crisis is now so severe as to be a global health emergency.
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Synopsis Sudden‐onset climate events can have a significant impact on maternal health care systems, particularly in low‐ and middle‐income countries where resources are limited. We outline strategic policies that can help anticipate and plan for such disasters and help minimize negative maternal outcomes.
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Heatwaves have pronounced impacts on human health and the environment on a global scale. Although the characteristics of heatwaves has been well documented, there still remains a lack of dynamic studies of population exposure to heatwaves (PEH), particularly in the arid regions. In this study, we analyzed the spatio-temporal evolution characteristics of heatwaves and PEH in Xinjiang using the daily maximum temperature (Tmax), relative humidity (RH), and high-resolution gridded population datasets. The results revealed that the heatwaves in Xinjiang occur more continually and intensely from 1961 to 2020. Furthermore, there is substantial spatial heterogeneity of heatwaves with eastern part of the Tarim Basin, Turpan, and Hami been the most prone areas. The PEH in Xinjiang showed an increasing trend with high areas mainly in Kashgar, Aksu, Turpan, and Hotan. The increase in PEH is mainly contributed from population growth, climate change and their interaction. From 2001 to 2020, the climate effect contribution decreased by 8.5%, the contribution rate of population and interaction effects increased by 3.3% and 5.2%, respectively. This work provides a scientific basis for the development of policies to improve the resilience against hazards in arid regions.
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Introduction: Deepening global inequalities in the health impacts of climate change highlight the need for transformative solutions through international and transdisciplinary collaborations. While the emerging field of planetary health provides a unique lens for recognizing interlinkages across a broader range of knowledge systems, a deeper understanding is needed about the processes through which such knowledge systems can be developed and integrated. Existing transdisciplinarity scholarship offers useful concepts of integration across boundaries; however, such understanding predominantly reflects the perspectives of Global North academic stakeholders, conceivably due to systemic power imbalance as an enduring colonial legacy. This study aims to identify opportunities for learning from the experiences of Global South stakeholders in transdisciplinary collaboration. Methods: We empirically explore the process of transdisciplinary collaboration in a case study of a large-scale planetary health research project. Through multi-method thematic analysis, this study seeks to understand Global South stakeholders’ contributions, motivations, and interactions on transdisciplinary collaboration, through their experiences in the case study context. Results & Discussion: The study found that Global South stakeholders contributed a plethora of disciplinary and non-disciplinary knowledge and other resources, guided by strong cultural inclinations for collaboration. The opening up of boundary spaces was key to multi-directional knowledge integration. Analysis revealed concepts of interdependence and complementarity towards a common vision, and provides insight into stakeholders’ motivations for initial and continuing engagement. Conclusion: Recognizing interdependence provides strong motivation for transdisciplinary collaboration and can help revalorize contributions from historically disadvantaged knowledge systems and stakeholders.
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This study aims to contribute to the literature on organizational sustainability and explore the issues, challenges, and prospects of the Bangladesh pharmaceutical industry in terms of sustainability. Organizations around the world are becoming more and more concerned about their ability to reduce or prevent the adverse effects of their actions. Sustainability, socially responsible human resource management (SRHRM), green human resource management (GHRM), characteristics of stakeholders, voluntary green behavior, innovative behavior, and government roles are the main areas of concern. Research and existing literature are explored to have a clear grasp of several organizational sustainability components. This study also shows how organizations understand and implement organizational sustainability concerns and difficulties and how to identify whether essential systemic components are still unaddressed. It's difficult to balance social, economic, and environmental responsibility with sustainability. Enhance SRHRM and GHRM by examining stakeholder characteristics and the government's involvement, combined with voluntary green and creative behavior, to create a positive image for society, the economy, and the environment. This research explores the issues, challenges, and prospects of Bangladesh's pharmaceutical industry's organizational sustainability. In contrast to the age of industry 4.0, artificial intelligence and machine learning concerns about human resource management, stakeholder characteristics, government role, and employee behavior contribute to the organizational sustainability of the pharmaceutical sector. The study presents first insights on the issues, challenges, and prospects of Bangladesh's pharmaceutical industry from the perspective of organizational sustainability. Sustainability, employee green and innovative behavior, SRHRM, GHRM, stakeholder characteristics, and government roles are drawing the attention of organizations globally. They are taking more and more responsibility for how their actions affect the environment, society, and the economy.
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Exposure to ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a major global health concern. Quantitative estimates of attributable mortality are based on disease-specific hazard ratio models that incorporate risk information from multiple PM2.5 sources (outdoor and indoor air pollution from use of solid fuels and secondhand and active smoking), requiring assumptions about equivalent exposure and toxicity. We relax these contentious assumptions by constructing a PM2.5-mortality hazard ratio function based only on cohort studies of outdoor air pollution that covers the global exposure range. We modeled the shape of the association between PM2.5 and nonaccidental mortality using data from 41 cohorts from 16 countries-the Global Exposure Mortality Model (GEMM). We then constructed GEMMs for five specific causes of death examined by the global burden of disease (GBD). The GEMM predicts 8.9 million [95% confidence interval (CI): 7.5-10.3] deaths in 2015, a figure 30% larger than that predicted by the sum of deaths among the five specific causes (6.9; 95% CI: 4.9-8.5) and 120% larger than the risk function used in the GBD (4.0; 95% CI: 3.3-4.8). Differences between the GEMM and GBD risk functions are larger for a 20% reduction in concentrations, with the GEMM predicting 220% higher excess deaths. These results suggest that PM2.5 exposure may be related to additional causes of death than the five considered by the GBD and that incorporation of risk information from other, nonoutdoor, particle sources leads to underestimation of disease burden, especially at higher concentrations.
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Background Human health is dependent upon environmental health. Air pollution is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally, and climate change has been identified as the single greatest public health threat of the 21st century. As a large, resource-intensive sector of the Canadian economy, healthcare itself contributes to pollutant emissions, both directly from facility and vehicle emissions and indirectly through the purchase of emissions-intensive goods and services. Together these are termed life cycle emissions. Here, we estimate the extent of healthcare-associated life cycle emissions as well as the public health damages they cause. Methods and findings We use a linked economic-environmental-epidemiological modeling framework to quantify pollutant emissions and their implications for public health, based on Canadian national healthcare expenditures over the period 2009–2015. Expenditures gathered by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) are matched to sectors in a national environmentally extended input-output (EEIO) model to estimate emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and >300 other pollutants. Damages to human health are then calculated using the IMPACT2002+ life cycle impact assessment model, considering uncertainty in the damage factors used. On a life cycle basis, Canada’s healthcare system was responsible for 33 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e), or 4.6% of the national total, as well as >200,000 tonnes of other pollutants. We link these emissions to a median estimate of 23,000 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost annually from direct exposures to hazardous pollutants and from environmental changes caused by pollution, with an uncertainty range of 4,500–610,000 DALYs lost annually. A limitation of this national-level study is the use of aggregated data and multiple modeling steps to link healthcare expenditures to emissions to health damages. While informative on a national level, the applicability of these findings to guide decision-making at individual institutions is limited. Uncertainties related to national economic and environmental accounts, model representativeness, and classification of healthcare expenditures are discussed. Conclusions Our results for GHG emissions corroborate similar estimates for the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States, with emissions from hospitals and pharmaceuticals being the most significant expenditure categories. Non-GHG emissions are responsible for the majority of health damages, predominantly related to particulate matter (PM). This work can guide efforts by Canadian healthcare professionals toward more sustainable practices.
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Jaime Miranda and colleagues argue that partnerships are key to building and sustaining health research capacity in Latin America. © Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to.
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Computable general equilibrium (CGE) models are a standard tool for policy analysis and forecasts of economic growth. Unfortunately, due to computational constraints, many CGE models are dimensionally small, aggregating countries into an often limited set of regions or using assumptions such as static price-level expectations, where next period's price is conditional only on current or past prices. This is a concern for climate change modeling, since the effects of global warming by country, in a fully disaggregated and global trade model, are needed, and the known future effects of global warming should be included in forward-looking forecasts for prices and profitability. This work extends a large dimensional intertemporal CGE trade model to account for the various effects of global warming (e.g., loss in agricultural productivity, sea level rise, and health effects) on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth and levels for 139 countries, by decade and over the long term, where producers look forward and adjust price expectations and capital stocks to account for future climate effects. The potential economic gains from complying with the Paris Accord are also estimated, showing that even with a limited set of possible damages from global warming, these gains are substantial. For example, with the comparative case of Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 (4°C), the global gains from complying with the 2°C target (Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5) are approximately US$17,489 billion per year in the long run (year 2100). The relative damages from not complying to Sub-Sahara Africa, India, and Southeast Asia, across all temperature ranges, are especially severe.
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The Lancet Countdown tracks progress on health and climate change and provides an independent assessment of the health effects of climate change, the implementation of the Paris Agreement, and the health implications of these actions. It follows on from the work of the 2015 Lancet Commission on Health and Climate Change, which concluded that anthropogenic climate change threatens to undermine the past 50 years of gains in public health, and conversely, that a comprehensive response to climate change could be “the greatest global health opportunity of the 21st century”. The Lancet Countdown is a collaboration between 24 academic institutions and intergovernmental organisations based in every continent and with representation from a wide range of disciplines. The collaboration includes climate scientists, ecologists, economists, engineers, experts in energy, food, and transport systems, geographers, mathematicians, social and political scientists, public health professionals, and doctors. It reports annual indicators across five sections: climate change impacts, exposures, and vulnerability; adaptation planning and resilience for health; mitigation actions and health co-benefits; economics and finance; and public and political engagement. The key messages from the 40 indicators in the Lancet Countdown’s 2017 report are summarised below.
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There is growing recognition that implementation of low-carbon policies in urban passenger transport has near-term health co-benefits through increased physical activity and improved air quality. Nevertheless, co-benefits and related cost reductions are often not taken into account in decision processes, likely because they are not easy to capture. In an interdisciplinary multi-model approach we address this gap, investigating the co-benefits resulting from increased physical activity and improved air quality due to climate mitigation policies for three urban areas. Additionally we take a (macro-)economic perspective, since that is the ultimate interest of policy-makers. Methodologically, we link a transport modelling tool, a transport emission model, an emission dispersion model, a health model and a macroeconomic Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model to analyze three climate change mitigation scenarios. We show that higher levels of physical exercise and reduced exposure to pollutants due to mitigation measures substantially decrease morbidity and mortality. Expenditures are mainly born by the public sector but are mostly offset by the emerging co-benefits. Our macroeconomic results indicate a strong positive welfare effect, yet with slightly negative GDP and employment effects. We conclude that considering economic co-benefits of climate change mitigation policies in urban mobility can be put forward as a forceful argument for policy makers to take action.
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Background: Although the co-benefits from addressing problems related to both climate change and air pollution have been recognised, there is not much evidence comparing the mitigation costs and economic benefits of air pollution reduction for alternative approaches to meeting greenhouse gas targets. We analysed the extent to which health co-benefits would compensate the mitigation cost of achieving the targets of the Paris climate agreement (2°C and 1·5°C) under different scenarios in which the emissions abatement effort is shared between countries in accordance with three established equity criteria. Methods: Our study had three stages. First, we used an integrated assessment model, the Global Change Assessment Model (GCAM), to investigate the emission (greenhouse gases and air pollutants) pathways and abatement costs of a set of scenarios with varying temperature objectives (nationally determined contributions, 2°C, or 1·5°C) and approaches to the distribution of climate change methods (capability, constant emission ratios, and equal per capita). The resulting emissions pathways were transferred to an air quality model (TM5-FASST) to estimate the concentrations of particulate matter and ozone in the atmosphere and the resulting associated premature deaths and morbidity. We then applied a monetary value to these health impacts by use of a term called the value of statistical life and compared these values with those of the mitigation costs calculated from GCAM, both globally and regionally. Our analysis looked forward to 2050 in accordance with the socioeconomic narrative Shared Socioeconomic Pathways 2. Findings: The health co-benefits substantially outweighed the policy cost of achieving the target for all of the scenarios that we analysed. In some of the mitigation strategies, the median co-benefits were double the median costs at a global level. The ratio of health co-benefit to mitigation cost ranged from 1·4 to 2·45, depending on the scenario. At the regional level, the costs of reducing greenhouse gas emissions could be compensated with the health co-benefits alone for China and India, whereas the proportion the co-benefits covered varied but could be substantial in the European Union (7–84%) and USA (10–41%), respectively. Finally, we found that the extra effort of trying to pursue the 1·5°C target instead of the 2°C target would generate a substantial net benefit in India (US32884trillion)andChina(3·28–8·4 trillion) and China (0·27–2·31 trillion), although this positive result was not seen in the other regions. Interpretation: Substantial health gains can be achieved from taking action to prevent climate change, independent of any future reductions in damages due to climate change. Some countries, such as China and India, could justify stringent mitigation efforts just by including health co-benefits in the analysis. Our results also suggest that the statement in the Paris Agreement to pursue efforts to limit temperature increase to 1·5°C could make economic sense in some scenarios and countries if health co-benefits are taken into account. Funding: European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.
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Background Carbon footprints stemming from health care have been found to be variable, from 3% of the total national CO2 equivalent (CO2e) emissions in England to 10% of the national CO2e emissions in the USA. We aimed to measure the carbon footprint of Australia's health-care system. Methods We did an observational economic input–output lifecycle assessment of Australia's health-care system. All expenditure data were obtained from the 15 sectors of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare for the financial year 2014–15. The Australian Industrial Ecology Virtual Laboratory (IELab) data were used to obtain CO2e emissions per AUSspentonhealthcare.FindingsIn201415Australiaspent spent on health care. Findings In 2014–15 Australia spent 161·6 billion on health care that led to CO2e emissions of about 35 772 (68% CI 25 398–46 146) kilotonnes. Australia's total CO2e emissions in 2014–15 were 494 930 kilotonnes, thus health care represented 35 772 (7%) of 494 930 kilotonnes total CO2e emissions in Australia. The five most important sectors within health care in decreasing order of total CO2e emissions were: public hospitals (12 295 [34%] of 35 772 kilotonnes CO2e), private hospitals (3635 kilotonnes [10%]), other medications (3347 kilotonnes [9%]), benefit-paid drugs (3257 kilotonnes [9%]), and capital expenditure for buildings (2776 kilotonnes [8%]). Interpretation The carbon footprint attributed to health care was 7% of Australia's total; with hospitals and pharmaceuticals the major contributors. We quantified Australian carbon footprint attributed to health care and identified health-care sectors that could be ameliorated. Our results suggest the need for carbon-efficient procedures, including greater public health measures, to lower the impact of health-care services on the environment. Funding None.
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