Climate change is a global problem, posing threat to people anywhere in the world. In New York City alone, it was predicted in a study conducted by Columbia University that by the 2080s, as many as 3,331 people could die every year from intense heat exposure during the summer months.
In yet another study headed by the World Health Organization, it was estimated that as early as 2030, the world will have approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year due to many health problems brought by climate change. Among these are heat-related mortality in elderly people, coastal flooding, diarrhoel disease, malaria, dengue and undernutrition.
All populations will be affected by climate change, but some are more vulnerable than others. The study said the health impacts of climate change will greatly depend on the resilience of a community. As such, those people in countries with weak health infrastructure will be the most affected as they do not have the ability to prepare, respond and cope with the stressors.
According to the Deccan Chronicle, the study was discussed at a meeting held by the French government in Paris on July 8. This is to study actions taken to implement the Paris agreement in order to reduce the health risks linked to climate change.
Experts noted that there is a strong need to ensure that overall economic growth, climate policies and health programs must include the poorest and most vulnerable populations.
The Scientific American was able to get an opinion of another expert who is not involved in the study. Jeremy Hess, an Emory University physician and epidemiologist who has studied the relationship between climate change and health conditions, told the site thorough an e-mail exchange that the numbers estimated by WHO might have been even smaller than the actual number due to lack of adequate data.
Experts suggest that reducing greenhouse gas emissions by choosing greener facilities for transport, food and energy can be of help in improving overall health.