How does climate change affect your health? It affects some groups more than others. Exposure to climate change, your sensitivity to it and your adaptive capacity to avoid harm are factors that determine your vulnerability.
For example, older people are more sensitive to extreme heat than young people are. But this doesn’t mean that they are not susceptible to the heat because they can afford to use an air conditioner. In fact, older people are among the most vulnerable groups.
People with chronic medical conditions
Elderly people, those living alone and in remote areas, and people with chronic medical conditions are particularly vulnerable to climate change-related stressors. For example, heat and humidity have been shown to increase the risk of hospital admissions and emergency room visits in elderly people, causing them to be particularly vulnerable to the effects of extreme temperatures. In addition, these individuals often have impaired judgment, making them especially vulnerable in crisis situations.
Children
While all children are at risk from increased air pollution, heatwaves and drought, climate change and other environmental factors are particularly dangerous for low-income communities of color. This is because urban heat islands are a consequence of discriminatory policies and environmental conditions. These heat-trapping areas are characterized by asphalt, few trees, dense buildings, highways and traffic. As a result, they can be particularly vulnerable to heat-related illness, including asthma and other respiratory disorders.
Pregnant women
While it’s true that climate change has an effect on women’s health, it’s also true that pregnant women contribute little to the problem. As individuals, we cannot stop the climate crisis on our own. However, we can do our part to help protect the health of pregnant women and their unborn children. One way to help combat climate change is to reduce the amount of fossil fuels we burn. However, this won’t protect us from climate change altogether.
People with respiratory diseases
There is a growing body of evidence demonstrating the impact of climate change on people with respiratory diseases. Air pollution is an important contributor to respiratory disease, and climate change can make exacerbations worse. As a result, people with respiratory diseases are more likely to suffer from these health effects than people without diseases. In addition to increasing air pollution levels, people with respiratory diseases are more likely to develop asthma. And this has a negative impact on the overall health of the population.
People with asthma
People with asthma are particularly vulnerable to environmental changes caused by climate change. Increased levels of indoor dampness and condensation have been linked to increased respiratory symptoms. Many solutions exist to combat these problems, including the use of fuel-efficient heating sources. Research has also shown that genetic makeup and environmental factors interact to cause allergic respiratory diseases. Forest fires, for example, may contribute to increased levels of ozone and cause respiratory diseases. Higher temperatures and increased precipitation may also prolong periods of elevated ozone levels.
Communities less able to adapt to climate change
People living in communities that are less adapted to climate change are especially vulnerable to certain risks related to the changing climate. These risks include the effects of extreme weather events, food distribution challenges, and damage to waterways and roads. Heat waves are particularly harmful for people with pre-existing illnesses, and those taking medications for mental disorders may not be able to regulate their body temperatures. This is why communities must prioritize adapting their emergency response plans for vulnerable populations.