SPECIAL ARTICLE
Climate Change and Human Health
Impact of Climate Change on Human Health
Jinky Leilanie DP. Lu
Institute of Health Policy and Development Studies, National Institutes of Health, University of the Philippines Manila
Introduction
For a sustainable and viable health condition of the
human population, certain factors must be ensured, such as
clean air, safe water, safe and sufficient supply of food, and
tolerable temperature.1 Worldwide, it has been shown that
climate and its variability can affect the prevalence and
incidence of diseases and other human health consequences.
This is based on research findings that climate can alter the
transmission of diseases, agricultural productivity, and
quality and quantity of food, water, and air, all of which,
ultimately affecting human health.2
Overall, climate change has caused devastating effects
on survival, health, and safety of human societies. In 2000,
5.5 million disability adjusted life years (DALYs) were
recorded due to climate change.3 Illnesses and disabilities
arise from many factors such as skin cancer, dengue, asthma,
______________
Corresponding author: Jinky Leilanie DP. Lu, PhD
Institute of Health Policy and Development Studies
National Institutes of Health
University of the Philippines Manila
623 Pedro Gil St. Ermita, Manila 1000 Philippines
Telephone: +632 5284041
Email: jinky_lu@yahoo.com
VOL. 50 NO. 2 2016
and malaria which are projected to increase due to climate
change. Certain parasitic and microbiological infections such
as schistosomiasis, fascioliasis, alveolar echinococcosis,
Leishmaniasis, Lyme borreliosis, tick-borne encephalitis, and
hantavirus infections have been on the rise with climate
change.3,4 Other health consequences include thermal stress,
aeroallergens, and malnutrition.1,5-6
Air pollution is another problem that has been
associated with climate change.7-10 Several of the air
pollutants and greenhouse gases interact physically and
chemically in the ambient air and atmosphere causing
adverse environmental impacts manifesting in climate
change in the long run.11 These greenhouse gases and air
pollutants are substantially attributed to human activities.
As a corollary, Oreskes et al., noted that human activities
cause the significant increase in global temperature.12
This study was done as a review to further understand
and elucidate the implications of climate change to human
health. It aims to present the linkages of climate change to
increased concentrations of air pollutants and emergence
and re-emergence of infectious diseases, consequently,
affecting human health. The objective of the study is to
present how climate change affects human health. Specific
objectives are as follows:
a. To identify the human-generated causes of climate
change;
b. To study the different pathways how climate change
affects human health; and
c. To discuss the climate-related health impacts.
Mainstreaming of climate change in the Philippines has
not yet been established despite the high vulnerability to
climate hazards and risks, including natural disasters in the
country.13 (Figure 1).
The study discusses the direct and indirect health
impacts of climate change. Environmental pollutants are also
discussed by sector. This study intends to present available
Philippine data on climate change in the Philippines as well
as health impacts based on local sources. The data presented
in this study could be part and parcel of the management of
health effects of climate change in the Philippines. With
regards infectious diseases, particularly the transmission
patterns and climate-sensitivity of the vectors/hosts of
diseases are suggested for future studies.
ACTA MEDICA PHILIPPINA 91