Climate change exposures, chronic diseases and mental health in urban populations: a threat to health security, particularly for the poor and disadvantaged

This report summarizes climate change trends, both globally and in selected urban areas. It analyzes the ways in which changes in climate variables such as air temperature, precipitation, and sea-level rise can impact or exacerbate chronic diseases and mental health issues in populations via pathways such as increases in heat exposure, extreme weather events and air pollution levels.   Chapter 7 is devoted to heat exposure, highlighting temperature trends from 1980 to 2007 in 11 global cities, including Atlanta, and relating the exposures in both low and high-income countries to work productivity to show the causal link to climate change. Chapter 8 highlights additional societal and demographic factors that influence the impact climate change has on chronic diseases and mental health, including urbanization, aging populations, socio-economic factors, the quality and accessibility of health systems, and the implementation of both climate change mitigation and adaptation measures. Lastly, research gaps and recommendations are identified specifically pertaining to climate change impacts on chronic disease and mental health in urban areas.

 

Publication Date: 2009

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