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President Donald J. Trump has called climate change a hoax and taken steps to roll back federal regulations on greenhouse gas emissions. The overwhelming scientific consensus, however, is that climate change is real and a serious threat to public health.
If you’re concerned about the health risks of climate change, it helps to stay aware and informed. Here are eight of the biggest health issues, with advice on what you can do to protect yourself and your family.
Extreme heat is one of the clearest and most immediate health risks of climate change.
In recent decades, heat waves have already become hotter, occured more often, and lasted longer. As global temperatures rise due to climate change, the United States is expected to continue to warm faster than other parts of the world.
Heat kills more people in the United States than any other type of extreme weather. Over the last 25 years, the number of heat-related deaths caused by conditions such as heatstroke has more than doubled, with a significant upswing since 2016.Heat is sometimes called a “silent killer” because sustained high nighttime temperatures prevent the body from cooling during sleep — a key driver of heat-related deaths among older adults.
Extreme heat also strains the cardiovascular system. “Heat and pollution events are linked to higher rates of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure exacerbations,” says Lisa Patel, MD, executive director of the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health and associate professor of pediatrics at Stanford Medicine in California. Heat can also interfere with blood pressure and psychiatric medications, Dr. Patel adds.
When spending time outdoors in scorching weather, protect yourself by hydrating frequently, avoiding the hottest time of day, and seeking shade when possible.If you have heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, kidney disease, or are pregnant, ask your healthcare provider how extreme heat could affect you. Review whether any medications you’re taking increase heat sensitivity or dehydration risk. Ask if you need a heat or air-quality action plan during summer months.
Research shows that higher nighttime temperatures are linked to shorter sleep duration, more frequent awakenings, and less time spent in deep and REM sleep — the sleep stages most important for memory, mood regulation, and physical recovery.Scientists project that as global temperatures rise, people could lose up to 24 hours of sleep per year by the end of the century due to heat exposure. Earlier research has similarly warned that warming trends could steadily erode sleep worldwide.
Sleep is when the body cools itself and repairs tissues. When nights stay hot, that cooling process is disrupted, particularly in densely built cities where pavement and buildings trap heat after sunset.
During hot weather, air conditioning is ideal to help you sleep better. If you don’t have A/C, other strategies for getting good sleep on a hot night include turning on a fan, taking a warm or tepid bath before bed, and using lightweight sheets and blankets made from natural material.
Hotter temperatures and prolonged drought are fueling larger and more intense wildfires, which means increased wildfire smoke, says Alexander Rabin, MD, pulmonologist and clinical associate professor of pulmonary and critical care medicine at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Smoke from wildfires penetrates deep into the lungs and aggravates respiratory disease more than any other type of pollution. In the short term, wildfire smoke can worsen asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and strain the heart.Wildfire smoke can also have a long-term impact on heart disease, cancer, anxiety, and depression. There is even a link between wildfire smoke exposure and premature death.
To limit the impact of wildfire smoke, pay attention to everyday air quality — stay indoors and avoid opening windows on high smoke days.
“When we talk about greenhouse gas policy, we’re also talking about air quality,” says Dr. Rabin. “And air quality has immediate consequences for people’s lungs and hearts.”
Burning fossil fuels releases both greenhouse gases and fine particulate matter (PM2.5), which is strongly associated with asthma attacks, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) flare-ups, heart attacks, and strokes.
Extreme heat can also increase ozone formation, compounding respiratory risks.
Carbon dioxide itself isn’t directly harmful at the levels we breathe; the issue is how quickly and in what quantities we’re adding it to the atmosphere, says Patel. “That destabilizes our climate and increases exposure to heat, smog, and wildfire smoke — and those are what harm people.”
Air pollution contributes to systemic inflammation and vascular damage, affecting not just the lungs but also the heart, brain, and kidneys.
If you have asthma or COPD, use an air filtering system indoors when air quality is poor, if possible, and avoid going outdoors. If you do need to go outside, consider wearing an effective face mask.
Global warming increases the severity and frequencies of storms and floods, which cause thousands of deaths and economic losses, says William Rom, MD, MPH, global distinguished professor of environmental health at NYU School of Global Public Health in New York City.
Climate models show that heavy rainfall events are increasing, raising flood risk in many regions.
Flooding is associated with injuries and waterborne illness. It also takes a psychological toll that can be long-lasting: Research shows increased rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide for up to 18 months after major flood events.Floods can also disrupt access to medications and time-sensitive treatments, increasing risk for people with chronic disease. Natural disasters and extreme weather have also been shown to worsen healthcare disparities among more vulnerable people, such as elderly adults or marginalized communities that already have less access to care.
Create an action plan in case of natural disaster. If you rely on medical devices that require a power source or have limited mobility or are on a prescription medication, talk with your doctor and loved ones so that you’re ready for whatever might happen.
Research shows that rising temperatures and changes in rainfall can make regions more hospitable to disease carriers like mosquitos and ticks, which means malaria, dengue fever, and Lyme disease may spread into areas that have not previously been at risk, says Linda Rudolph, MD, MPH, director of the Center for Climate Change and Health at the Public Health Institute, an independent nonprofit.
“Warmer temperatures can also affect how quickly some pathogens grow and replicate — like, for example, some of the bacteria that cause food poisoning,” says Dr. Rudolph.
Rudolph also points out that climate change can cause both animals and humans to migrate, putting people into contact with germs they may not have encountered before.
“As the planet gets hotter, some animals are moving toward the poles, coming into contact for the first time with different animals, and in some cases with people,” she says. That has been the case, for instance, with the lone star tick, which is responsible for spreading a condition known as alpha gal syndrome.
“We also know that deforestation — which is also a significant cause of climate change — is causing a loss of natural habitats and making animals move to new areas, where they might share germs with people or other animals,” she says.
The best way to avoid infectious disease spread by tick and mosquito bites is good protection. Pay attention to tick and mosquito activity in your area, and when activity is high, wear clothing that covers most of your skin and use EPA-approved repellent.
“Warmer temperatures also mean that plants produce more pollen, and many people who suffer from allergies are finding that their allergies are worse and the allergy season is longer,” Rudolph says.
Carbon pollution and warmer temperatures make plants produce more pollen over longer growing seasons. In fact, scientists have suggested that average pollen counts in 2040 will be more than double what they were in 2000.There’s also evidence that increases in allergens, pollutants, and extreme weather events can make atopic dermatitis (eczema) worse.
If you have seasonal allergies, work with your doctor to create an individualized plan that addresses your triggers as they relate to local climate and seasonal changes. You may want to limit your pollen exposure by planning outdoor activities for times of day when pollen counts are at their lowest.
Fine particulate matter — the microscopic pollution released when fossil fuels are burned — may raise the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, says Patel.
In a large national study of older Americans, higher long-term exposure to particulate matter was linked with an increased likelihood of developing this neurodegenerative illness.
The tiny particles appear to trigger inflammation and damage blood vessels, processes that also seem to play a role in neurodegeneration. The association was slightly stronger among people who had previously experienced a stroke, suggesting that underlying vascular disease may increase vulnerability.
Researchers concluded that improving air quality could be an important tool to prevent dementia.
Take steps to avoid pollution by limiting outside time when air quality is poor, and if possible, choose air filters and an air purifying system to improve the air you breathe when indoors. Consider wearing an effective face mask outdoors.
In addition to voting for political candidates who are committed to reducing the risks posed by climate change, you can protect your physical and mental health and minimize the health hazards you and your community face in the following ways:
Use a HEPA air purifier during wildfire smoke events. Keep windows closed on high-pollution days and consider upgrading your HVAC filter. Avoid burning candles or using wood stoves when outdoor air quality is poor. If possible, improve insulation and energy efficiency in your home, which can both lower utility costs and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Vehicle emissions are a major source of both greenhouse gases and fine particulate pollution. Walking, biking, carpooling, or using public transportation can reduce exposure to traffic-related air pollution — and improve cardiovascular health. If you’re in the market for a new vehicle, electric or hybrid models may reduce tailpipe emissions, depending on your local energy grid.
Producing and transporting food and consumer goods generates greenhouse gases. Eating more plant-based meals, wasting less food, buying fewer disposable products, and repairing or reusing items when possible can reduce environmental impact. Many of these changes — such as eating more vegetables and whole foods — also support heart and metabolic health.
The World Health Organization recognizes that climate change poses serious risks to mental health and well-being. This can include increased anxiety, depression, grief and suicidal behavior.If you find yourself experiencing mood issues related to what’s happening to our planet, a therapist or counselor, especially one with training and experience in what’s called eco-anxiety and grief, can help.
Climate change is already affecting health, contributing to more heat-related deaths, wildfire smoke exposure, and air pollution–related illness, and experts expect weakening pollution protections will increase those risks.
Extreme heat and poor air quality can worsen heart and lung disease and disrupt sleep, and may raise the risk of dementia.
Older adults, children, pregnant people, and those with chronic conditions are especially vulnerable. Having a heat and air-quality plan can lower personal risk.
Steps like improving indoor air, preparing for extreme weather, and reducing everyday pollution exposure can protect both your health and your community.
Additional reporting by Lindsey Wahowiak.
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