Climate change and natural disasters: integrating science and practice to protect health

Glob Health Action. 2012 Dec 17:5:1-7. doi: 10.3402/gha.v5i0.19295.

Abstract

Background: Hydro-meteorological disasters are the focus of this paper. The authors examine, to which extent climate change increases their frequency and intensity.

Methods: Review of IPCC-projections of climate-change related extreme weather events and related literature on health effects.

Results: Projections show that climate change is likely to increase the frequency, intensity, duration, and spatial distribution of a range of extreme weather events over coming decades.

Conclusions: There is a need for strengthened collaboration between climate scientists, the health researchers and policy-makers as well as the disaster community to jointly develop adaptation strategies to protect human.

MeSH terms

  • Climate Change*
  • Disaster Planning
  • Disasters*
  • Health Status
  • Humans
  • Risk Factors