Health

1.4 billion people at risk of diarrheal disease, wound infections, sepsis globally

The Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change on Wednesday said that the global climate crisis is accelerating the spread of life-threatening infectious diseases and estimated that 1.4 billion people were at risk of diarrheal disease, severe wound infections, and sepsis.

The 8th annual report of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change, which shed light on the alarming convergence of factors that jeopardise the well-being of individuals, public health, and healthcare systems on a global scale, said this threat is particularly high in Europe, where Vibrio-suitable coastal waters have increased by 142km every year.

The report said that warmer seas have increased the area of the world’s coastline suitable for the spread of Vibrio bacteria that can cause illness and death in humans by 329km every year since 1982 and now put 1.4 billion people at risk of diarrheal disease, severe wound infections, and sepsis.

It added that adults over 65 years of age and infants under one-year-old, who are particularly vulnerable to extreme heat, are now experiencing twice as many heat wave days per year as they would have in 1986–2005.

While the increasing destructiveness of extreme weather events jeopardises water security and food production, putting millions of people at risk of malnutrition, it declared that the alarming statistics of more frequent heat waves and droughts were responsible for 127 million more people experiencing moderate to severe food insecurity in 122 countries in 2021, compared to annual numbers seen between 1981 and 2010.

The report, linking these rising risks of climate change with the worsening global health inequities, declared that health systems are increasingly strained, and 27% of surveyed cities have declared concerns over their health systems being overwhelmed by the impacts of climate change.

While the urgency of today’s health threats is evident and also serves as a dire warning of the dangers looming on the horizon, the report underscores that the world is heading in the wrong direction, continuing its dependency on fossil fuels and leaving the most vulnerable communities behind in the essential transition to sustainable energy sources.

It declared that failure to implement the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C goal will result in severe consequences for humanity and its health, as more children will suffer from malnutrition, outbreaks of diseases will become more frequent and widespread, and deaths from respiratory diseases will continue to rise.

WHO Director for Environment, Climate Change, and Health, Dr Maria Neira, stated in a reaction: “The path to a sustainable future starts with taking bold and urgent steps, transitioning to renewable energy, reducing emissions across all sectors, and building adaptation and resilience, to name just a few. The upcoming COP28 will be a watershed moment to address health, with the potential for ambitious outcomes that will ensure a healthier and more resilient world.”

WHO said it is asking governments to lead the way with a just, equitable, and rapid phase-out of fossil fuels, transitioning towards clean and renewable energy sources. This transition will not only mitigate climate change but also enhance air quality for 99% of the global population, reducing air pollution’s detrimental effects.

The UN body also urged all nations to bring health into the centre of international climate action and work together to ensure a prosperous future for all, with a focus on protecting the health and well-being of present and future generations.

READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE