Climate Hazards Making Infectious Diseases Worse For People

Sunday, August 21st, 2022 -- 6:42 AM

Climate hazards like flooding, drought and wildfires are making known infectious diseases worse for people, according to a new study.

The study by University of Hawaii researchers examined more than 77,000 cases in scientific papers about illnesses and their connection to climate hazards. It found more than half of known human pathogenic diseases worldwide, 218 out of 375, appeared to be worsened by extreme weather linked to climate change. The research identified more than 1,000 pathways for events tied to climate change like extreme rainfall, sea level rise and heatwaves to make people sick, according to Jonathan Patz, one of the study’s co-authors. "We've known for a long time the impacts of climate change," said Patz, a professor with the Nelson Institute and Department of Population Health Sciences at UW-Madison, describing direct effects like heat waves and mosquito- and water-borne disease. "In this study, these viral and bacterial diseases show up as worsening from the effects of climate change."

The study found only 16 percent of diseases would be reduced by the effects of climate change. Patz said that includes influenza and rotavirus, which do better in colder temperatures. The study shows that climate change affects human health and the environment, according to Erik Franklin, an associate research professor at the University of Hawaii. (By Danielle Kaeding, Wisconsin Public Radio)

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