Extreme weather events can damage and destroy critical health infrastructure, and reduce health system efficiency.

There is now strong evidence that the earth’s climate is changing rapidly, due mainly to human activities. Increasing temperatures, sea-level rises, changes in precipitation patterns and extreme events are expected to increase a range of health risks, from the direct effects of heat waves, floods and storms, to more suitable conditions for the transmission of important infectious diseases, to impacts on the natural systems and socioeconomic sectors that ultimately underpin human health.

Much of the potential health impact of climate change can, however, be avoided through a combination of strengthening key health system functions and improved management of the risks presented by a changing climate.

Read more: Available online PDF file [72p.]

Sustainable Development and Environmental Health Pan American Health Organization/WHO 2012