Chapter 15 Human Health, 2023

Climate change has profound negative effects on human health. Climate-related extreme events that impact the US population include floods, droughts, wildfires, extreme temperatures, and storms. All are expected to increase in frequency, intensity, and extent (KM 2.2). Health risks from a changing climate include higher rates of heat-related morbidity and mortality; increases in the geographic range of some infectious diseases; greater exposure to poor air quality; increases in some adverse pregnancy outcomes; higher rates of pulmonary, neurological, and cardiovascular diseases; and worsening mental health.1,2,3,4,5,6,7 These risks affect all US residents but have disproportionate repercussions for under-resourced and overburdened communities and individuals, such as pregnant people, communities of color, children, people with disabilities, people experiencing homelessness, people with chronic diseases, and older adults. Structural racism and discrimination against groups that have been marginalized play a direct role in health inequities and are public health crises.8 Existing and projected human health impacts of climate change affect populations that are already experiencing an unprecedented decline in life expectancy due to environmental, social, political, and economic conditions that determine community health and well-being.9,10,11 Creating climate-resilient health systems, implementing adaptation measures, and mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions can protect human health.