A new study published in the Lancet Neurology has found that extreme temperatures caused by climate change may increase hospitalizations and deaths related to health issues such as dementia, depression, epilepsy, and other nervous system conditions and psychiatric disorders. The research adds to previous studies that have shown the negative effects of climate change on human health, with higher temperatures increasing the risk of death from stroke and dementia, and both extreme hot and cold temperatures being associated with a greater mortality risk for mental health disorders like depression. The study also found that as temperatures rise, hospitalizations related to dementia, migraines, mental health disorders, and multiple sclerosis also increase.
Dementia patients are particularly vulnerable to the harms of extreme temperatures and severe weather events due to cognitive impairment limiting their ability to adapt to environmental changes. The researchers identified several factors that impact mental health disorders, including pollution, increased humidity, reduced sunshine exposure, and the effects of neurological disorders and their treatments on the body’s ability to adapt to changing temperatures. The study suggests that patients with these disorders may need to adopt new behaviors to mitigate the effects of climate change, such as drinking more water, avoiding exercise in hot weather, or using additional treatments.
In addition to mental health and neurological disorders, climate change is also associated with worsened respiratory issues, heart disease, increased risk of vector-borne illnesses like West Nile Virus and Lyme disease, and water- and food-borne illnesses. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention predicts that the Midwest will experience the largest increase in extreme temperature-related premature deaths, while the Southeast faces a greater risk of mosquito-related illnesses due to warmer temperatures increasing mosquito populations. Climate change has also led to the emergence of “climate anxiety,” with children and young adults particularly affected by fears of climate change and its impacts on the world.
The study highlights the importance of government action in addressing the negative impacts of climate change on public health. In April, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that governments have a responsibility to stop climate change and protect their citizens from its effects. The court’s decision came after a group of older Swiss women filed a lawsuit claiming they were at higher risk of death from heat waves due to Switzerland’s inadequate measures to combat climate change. Switzerland was criticized for not reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and failing to implement frameworks to address climate change. The court ordered Switzerland to pay legal fees to the group of women affected.
As climate change continues to have a significant impact on human health, it is crucial for governments and individuals to take action to mitigate these effects. The study emphasizes the need for behavioral changes and additional treatments for patients with mental health and neurological disorders to cope with the challenges posed by extreme temperatures and severe weather events. By addressing the health consequences of climate change, individuals and communities can work towards building a healthier and more resilient future.
