Health effects of climate change in the UK (2023)

Description

This report provides a comprehensive and authoritative summary of the scientific evidence on the health effects of climate change, potential implications for public health, and gaps in evidence. It is the fourth report on climate change and health, following on earlier reports published in 2002, 2008 and 2012. The report serves as an evidence base on the diverse and substantial health threats from climate change. While – at low levels of warming – many risks are preventable, it finds that knowledge of effective intervention measures is incomplete.

Important health threats in the UK originate from heat, infectious diseases, water-related and indirect impacts. Extreme heat can lead to 10,000 deaths per year among the aging population by the 2050s under a high-warming scenario without adaptation. Establishment of Aedes albopictus and spread of Culex mosquitoes could cause inland transmission of vector-borne diseases. Changing rainfall patterns will increase flood risks, which will particularly impact mental health. Climate change will also affect food supplies, particularly for nutritious food products like fresh fruit and vegetables, and consequently human health. Health risks are already apparent and will grow and expand with progressive warming. Existing and future risks are moreover not equally distributing among the society.

The report describes win-win strategies including nature-based solutions, reducing existing health inequalities, supporting behavioural transitions, supporting vulnerable populations, embedding health in climate planning and embedding climate in public health practice. There are also wider benefits to health of mitigation and adaptation actions, such as reduced air pollution, safer and healthier homes, shade protection from heat, greenspaces for mental health, healthy behaviour shifts and less pressure on health and care services.

The report highlights research gaps, including advancing understanding of intervention effectiveness (including economic assessment), advancing research into mental health and behaviour, improving climate-health modelling, increasing emphasis on equity and vulnerable population settings, developing and co-ordinating standardised metrics and indicators, and assess co-benefits and cascading and compound risks.

Reference information