Health Effects of Climate Change and Their Socioeconomic Impact

Dear Colleagues,

Climate change poses serious challenges for current and future generations globally. Rising temperatures, changing weather patterns, the increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather events and natural hazards, as well as rising sea levels are affecting societies all over the world.

The impacts of flooding, heat and drought are widespread and complex, and have major social, economic, and environmental consequences. These tend to be addressed and reported on solely in terms of economic effects or in relation to deaths occurring as a direct consequence, such as from heat stroke or drowning. However, the health effects from climate change are far more far-reaching, with complex links to and impacts on society. Examples of these include: the increased incidence of mental disorders after flooding; the outbreaks of infectious and waterborne diseases; and the effects of cumulative physiological stress following extended periods of high day and nighttime temperatures which exacerbate the primary causes of death globally, including respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus and renal disease.

As flooding, heat and drought events rise, the health of vulnerable groups, such as children, pregnant women, older and disabled people, is directly affected. Heat affects health and well-being, but also indirectly impacts on food and drink processing, pharmaceuticals and clinical oxygen production, energy generation, as well as sewage and wastewater treatments. Additionally, heat-related health effects experienced by workers can negatively impact economic productivity.

This Special Issue seeks to increase the knowledge and understanding of climate change-related health effects and their impact on society. Therefore, submissions are being sought in the areas of, but not limited to:

- Health effects related to flooding, heat and drought

- Projections of climate-related ill health

- Ecological/environmental impact

- Treatment/mitigation of climate-related ill health

- Economics of treating climate change-related adverse health effects/impact on health systems

- Societal impact on well-being in different cultures

Dr. Carola König
Dr. Dominic Hames
Guest Editors

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