Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

2-minute read
14 November 2023 | 09:58 CAT

Image: BusinessLIVE

Climate change is the next frontier in public health — and our century’s biggest threat to wellness. Human activities are making the atmosphere warmer. This means extreme weather events are likely to become more frequent, which is bad news for our physical and mental health.

A hotter Earth is a threat to human health. It means more floods, droughts and heatwaves, which make many diseases spread faster. Higher temperatures also worsen air pollution, resulting in more damage to our lungs.

What is of grave concern is that as the world warms faster than at any point in recorded history, as warned by the World Health Organisation last week, human health is on the frontline.

As firefighters are battling fires as never before, towns and villages destroyed, Bhekisisa’s Mia Malan said there is not enough emphasis on climate change’s impact on human health.

According to Bhekisisa, the consequences of climate change span every aspect of people’s lives — how we earn income, produce and consume food and respond to climate change.

“These things will spill over into healthcare and will make infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV and malaria spread, drive up the incidence of conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, and worsen mental health problems in people who are most vulnerable — and they’re all connected,” Bhekisisa explains.

Meanwhile, Malan points out the impact of climate change on mental health.

“Research shows that people diagnosed with hypertension and chronic diseases are less likely to adhere in taking the medication ultimately leading to anxiety and depression,” Malan added.

Listen to the full interview on The Daily Round-Up with Annisa Essack.