Climate Impact On Our Health.
                     CLIMATE IMPACT ON 
OUR HEALTH
INTRODUCTION
• Climate change is a change in the world’s weather systems that occurs over 
decades. Most of the recent changes in our climate have been brought about by 
human activity.
Source: www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
EFFECTS OF CLIMATE 
CHANGE 
• Effects of climate change include increasing air and sea temperatures, changes in 
rainfall patterns, more frequent and increasingly severe extreme weather events and 
sea level rise. 
Source: www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
CLIMATE IMPACT ON OUR 
HEALTH
• Climate change may affect our health and wellbeing through the impacts of extreme 
events, worsening air quality, changes in the spread of infectious diseases, threats to 
food and water quality and quantity and effects on our mental health.
Source: www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
RISK OF HEALTH EFFECTS 
DUE TO CLIMATE CHANGE
IMPACT ON CHILDREN
• Children are vulnerable for several reasons. Their immune systems are not fully 
developed, putting them at increased risk of infections. They often need to rely on 
adults to keep them safe during emergencies and help them to recover afterwards.
Source: www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
IMPACT ON PREGNANT 
WOMEN 
• Pregnant women are at increased risk of heat stress during heatwaves due to the 
physiological demands of pregnancy. 
• They and their unborn babies are particularly sensitive to exposure to air pollution 
and smoke from bushfires.
Source: www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
IMPACT ON OLDER PEOPLE
• Older people and people with pre-existing medical conditions are more prone to 
dehydration, heat stress, infections and exacerbation of heart and lung disease.
Source: www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au
IMPACT ON MENTAL HEALTH
• Extreme weather and natural disasters can be traumatic and stressful for the people 
whom they affect.
• People may undergo displacement, injury, the loss of their home and possessions, or 
the loss of loved ones.
Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
HEAT- AND WEATHER-
RELATED CONDITIONS
• Rising temperatures can cause or exacerbate a wide range of severe health 
problems. Prolonged exposure to extreme heat can cause:
– heatstroke
– heat exhaustion
– muscle cramps
– worsening of existing conditions, such as respiratory and heart conditions
– death
Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com
WHO IS MOST AT RISK?
• Although all populations are likely to experience the effects of climate change, certain 
areas of the world are more at risk than others.
• Areas most at risk from the health effects of climate change include:
– coastal regions
– mountainous regions
– polar regions
– small islands
– megacities
– countries with a lack of healthcare facilities
– developing countries
Source: www.medicalnewstoday.com