Climate change is a health crisis

Climate change is among the leading global health threats of the 21st century. It will exacerbate the burden of every major health-outcome category: infectious diseases; chronic diseases; mental health; injuries and death. çlimate is a threat multiplier for health 

 1. Mortality risk is rising. Annual heaat-related death could increase ninefold in the U.S. from about 12,000 now to more than 100,000 by 2100 in a high-emmision scenario. 

 2. injuries could increasse. Some 26 mikllion people across the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia may be exposed to injuries during storm surges by 2045 in a high-emission scenario. As coral bleaching weakens a natural defense against coastal erosion, storms and flood in low-lying coastal areas. 

 3. Infectious diseases may expand or (re)-emerge. Dengue couild spread to the Southeasternm U.S by 2050 as mosquito transmission zone expand from the tropics. 

 4. Mental illness may surge. Among Pacific Islanders at risk of forge displacement as sea level rise, and among Central American migrants fleeing droughts, hunger and poverty, miore than half the population exhibits sign of mental ill health Climate change affects health directyl and indirectyl through complex pathway

                                                                Source: Marsh & Mclennan 

 Given the threat of climate change to health and the lag between emissions and consequences, urgent action is vital. The right respones today will go long way towards reducing risk and the need to make even more drastics and expensive changes tomorrow.