"Climate change is the biggest global health threat of the twenty-first century."
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~The Lancet
Cardiovascular
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Additionally, poor air quality increases the chance of cardiac death by 15% and also leads to increased emergency department presentations for cardiovascular complaints, arrhythmias, and ischemic heart disease.
Respiratory
Infectious Disease
Both waterborne and vector-borne disease have been linked with the climate crisis. Waterborne gastrointestinal disease, typically related to food or water contamination, have significantly increased as a result of warming sea temperatures and heavier rainfalls.
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Diseases spread by insects, such as ticks and mosquitos, have increased range due to the climate crisis. Warmer temperatures mean increased range of mosquitos and with it the spread of the diseases they carry. The same is true with tick borne diseases such as Lyme disease.
Neurologic
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Increased fine particulate matter increases the risk of ischemic stroke and has been associated with dementia. Increased temperatures also exacerbate symptoms of dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease.
Heatwaves
During the past 15 years, there has been an increase in the frequency, intensity, and duration of heat waves. There is a clear association between heat exposure and mortality, particularly among the most physiologically and socioeconomically vulnerable. Heat waves and even small increases in average temperature are followed by exacerbations in health conditions, including chronic renal, cardiovascular, and pulmonary disease.
Trauma
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Additionally, extreme weather events, which are becoming more common due to the climate crisis, lead to more traumatic injuries, many of which are fatal.
Mental Health
Climate-related disasters result in forced displacement and loss of livelihood as well as community stability. These affects increase the risk of posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.
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Warmer temperatures are also associated with increased emergency department visits for acute psychiatric illness, particularly schizophrenia.