The effects of climate change will not only be harmful to the health of the planet-- they will impact the health of humans as well.

Climate change dramatically disrupts some of life’s basic essential requirements for health: water, air and food.
By 2020, it is anticipated that increasing climate change will have greater impacts on the health of humans here in Australia and globally.

In 2020, it is likely that Australian doctors and other health professionals will be seeing patients with a diverse range of climate change-related illnesses, from heat stress and other heat-related illness events (affecting the heart, blood vessels and lungs) to trauma from extreme weather events such as storms and heavy rains.  

It is anticipated that there will be changes in airborne pollutants leading to increased respiratory problems, including asthma. The production of pollens, moulds and fungi, all of which cause allergic symptoms, may increase due to rising temperatures.

In those areas affected by long-term drought and other natural disasters, it is likely that patients will experience distress and more mental illness such as depression and post traumatic stress disorders.  These conditions are also expected to rise in patients who have survived severe weather events.

Diseases such as gastroenteritis and diarrhea are predicted to rise due to contaminated food and water.  One study showed that for every degree of increase in temperature the rate of hospitalisation of children with diarrhoea increased by 8 per cent. A changing climate will also affect the distribution of mosquito-related diseases such as Dengue fever and Ross River virus.  Previously, in Australia these diseases had been restricted to areas north of Broome, Katherine and Cairns, but could spread as far south as New South Wales depending on temperature rise.

Are you at risk?

Do you have children?

Children are particularly vulnerable to the health effects of climate change because of the immaturity of their body systems, particularly their lungs when faced with air pollution, and their reliance on others to watch out for their needs.  Additionally, childhood activities such as playing outdoors can lead to increased risk of heat stress and increased exposure to mosquitoes that transmit diseases.    Extreme weather events can also cause post-traumatic stress disorder in children, with some studies suggesting that the psychological events after disasters last longer in children than in adults.

Are you elderly?

The elderly will be affected as they cope less well with changes in temperature, and are affected particularly by heatwaves.  Climate studies have shown that in temperate Australian cities, a 75 percent increase in annual heat-related deaths among people 65 years and older may occur by 2050.

Do you have a chronic medical condition?

People with chronic conditions, particularly cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, diabetes or compromised immune systems, can be especially susceptible to heat waves, bad air quality and infectious diseases.

Do you live in a rural, regional or remote community?

The prospects for rural and regional Australia are uncertain due to the potential for droughts and a long-term drying process across rural Australia.  Communities are likely to be affected by exposure to extreme weather events, a lack of access to fresh water and exposure to extreme heat.  These events can cause mental stress, depression and risk of suicide, as well as having emotional and developmental effects on children.

Do you live in a coastal community?

Coastal communities in Australia will be vulnerable to coastal sea surges that will occur from a combination of sea level rise and more severe storms.

The Climate Institute's Climate Change Health Check 2020 report summarises the latest research on climate and health. It was prepared for The Climate Institute by Doctors for the Environment Australia.

• Climate Change Health Check 2020 Report