New Report Shows Health Effects of Climate Change
Posted on: Tuesday, 12 February 2008, 15:50 CST
A report released today by Britain’s Department of Health and Health Protection Agency (HPA) described the possible health effects of climate change.The report, written by an expert panel of independent scientists commissioned by the HPA, takes into account the latest information and current predictions about climate change in the UK, and examines the health consequences to the population if no action is taken. The scientists hope the report will assist the British health services in preparing and prioritizing their plan for climate change effects.
“Climate change is likely to be one of the major challenges that humanity faces this century. It is important that we assess the possible health impact and take any actions that could minimize the consequences. The publication of this report is a significant step in that process,” said Professor Robert Maynard, expert panel chairman from the agency.
Overall, the report shows the UK is adapting well to rising temperatures experienced since the 1970s, however heat waves and flooding pose an increasing risk to health and property.
Interestingly, the report shows that in some areas climate change might actually save lives.
For example, while summers in the UK became warmer from 1971 - 2003, the country saw no change in heat-related deaths. However, annual cold-related mortality fell by 3% as winters became milder, meaning fewer people died overall as a result of extreme temperatures. The report credits lifestyle alterations, such as more informal clothing and the shift away from manual labor, rather than physiological changes, for the overall reduction in temperature-related deaths .
Nevertheless, the scientists report a 25% chance that by 2017 south-east England will see a severe heat wave that could cause 3,000 immediate deaths, with an equal number of heat-related deaths throughout the summer.
However, even 6,000 deaths are small in comparison with average 20,000 cold-related deaths in the UK each year, according to BBC News.
The HPA report further presents a mixed picture for the health impact of air pollution. In this case, while government regulations are expected to cause levels of several key pollutants to decline over the next 50 years, concentration of ozone levels are expected to increase. The report said breathing difficulties resulting from higher ozone levels could lead to 1,500 extra hospital admissions and deaths every year.
The report outlined the following health consequences if no action is taken to avoid significant climate change this century:
- A 1-in-40 chance that the South East of England will experience a serious heat wave by 2012, causing 3,000 immediate heat-related deaths.
- A possibility of malaria outbreaks in continental Europe and the emergence of more deadly European strains of mosquitoes in wetland areas of Britain.
- Increases in Tick-borne diseases, such as Lyme disease, due to changes in land management and an increase in outside leisure time.
- A rise in skin cancers from increased exposure to sunlight.
- An increase from 1.5 million to 3.5 million by 2100 of the number of people at a high risk from flooding.
- A annual rise of 14.5 per cent, up to 14,000, in the number of cases of food poisoning such as Salmonella.
- A decline in winter deaths as the climate warms.
Gill Morgan, head of Britain’s NHS Federation, told BBC News the country's health service "has a major role to play in tackling climate change".
"As the report highlights, rising temperatures will put significant pressure on the NHS, and may increase the amount of heat-related deaths and skins cancers, as well as respiratory and insect-borne diseases."
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On the Net:
The full report can be viewed on the British Department of Health’s Web site at http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Publications/PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/DH_080702
Department of Health
HPA
BBC
Source: redOrbit Staff and Wire Reports
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