New research published in the journal Neurology has found a growing number of stroke-related deaths and disabilities linked to extreme temperatures since 1990, with over 500,000 stroke deaths last year attributed to "non-optimal" temperatures. While the study doesn't directly prove climate change as the cause, it suggests a global impact. The relationship between heat and strokes is complex, with cold temperatures also posing risks. As temperatures continue to rise, the trend of stroke deaths linked to high temperatures is expected to worsen, particularly in older populations and areas with health care disparities.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that extreme temperature fluctuations linked to climate change may be a factor in roughly half a million deaths and cases of disability from stroke worldwide over the past three decades. While the study doesn't directly prove climate change causes stroke, it found an association between non-optimal temperatures and increased death and disability due to stroke. Both cold and hot temperatures were linked to stroke-related deaths, with older populations and areas with health care disparities being particularly affected. The study highlights the potential impact of climate change on public health and underscores the need for further research and awareness.
A new study published in Neurology found that over half a million stroke deaths in 2019 were linked to extreme temperatures, and this number is expected to rise due to human-made climate change. The study revealed that the number of strokes attributable to high and low temperatures has been increasing globally since 1990, affecting people across all age groups. As the planet gets warmer, the burden of strokes due to high temperatures is rapidly increasing, with last year being the warmest on record. The study emphasizes the urgent need for global action to address the health impacts of climate change, as extreme temperatures are a significant risk factor for stroke worldwide.
A US government-funded study warns that climate change could lead to a surge of deadly viruses, ancient diseases like the plague, and new fungal infections due to rising temperatures. Tickborne illnesses, mosquito-borne diseases, and zoonotic diseases are expected to increase as winter temperatures become warmer, allowing disease-carrying insects to survive and spread illness. Cases of diseases like Lyme disease, malaria, and the bubonic plague are already on the rise in the US, with experts urging physicians to maintain a high index of suspicion for diseases on the move. The study also links rising sea levels and extreme events like flooding to the spread of waterborne diseases, and calls for increased surveillance on infectious diseases to stay ahead of climate-related influxes.
New research reveals that climate change is significantly impacting children's health, with an increasing number of infants being born preterm and experiencing respiratory diseases due to temperature extremes and air pollutants. The risk of preterm birth has risen by 60% on average, and climate events like wildfires and droughts are exacerbating respiratory issues. Low- and middle-income countries are particularly vulnerable, and urgent public health policies and efforts to reduce climate change are needed to protect current and future children.
Intensifying winter rainstorms in California are spreading the deadly fungal disease valley fever, with cases reaching record numbers. Climate change, particularly the oscillation between extreme dryness and wetness, is creating ideal conditions for the spores to spread. Rising global temperatures and increasingly intense atmospheric rivers are fueling the growth of valley fever, posing a profound threat to public health in California.
Experts warn that climate change could lead to more diarrhoea outbreaks as rising temperatures facilitate the spread of campylobacter bacteria, a common cause of food poisoning. A study from the University of Surrey found that for every 9F rise in temperature, there was a sharp increase in campylobacteriosis infections, with high humidity also playing a role. The findings aim to help identify vulnerable areas and allocate resources to treat potential outbreaks, as illnesses like campylobacteriosis not only cause discomfort but also have significant societal impacts.
