Abstract

Many disease researchers have warned that rising global temperatures could lead to more disease, for example by allowing tropical diseases to expand their ranges into what are now temperate regions. This is particularly true for insect-borne diseases such as malaria. Our increasing understanding of climate change is transforming how we view the boundaries and determinants of human health. The current paper investigates potential health impacts of climate change including, vector-borne infections and. food-borne infections and diseases linked to climate change. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimated that climate change to be responsible in 2000 for approximately 2.4% of worldwide diarrhoea, and 6% of malaria in some middle-income countries. The WHO 2008 report also indicated that the health effects of climate change are expected to be greatest among those living in the poorest countries. Climate change and food insecurity will have major implications for health in the years ahead thereby creating enormous challenges for an effective response.