Climate Change and the Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases in the United States

Paul J. Edelson, Rachel Harold, Joel Ackelsberg, Jeffrey S. Duchin, Steven J. Lawrence, Yukari C. Manabe, Matt Zahn, Regina C. LaRocque

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

The earth is rapidly warming, driven by increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide and other gases that result primarily from fossil fuel combustion. In addition to causing arctic ice melting and extreme weather events, climatologic factors are linked strongly to the transmission of many infectious diseases. Changes in the prevalence of infectious diseases not only reflect the impacts of temperature, humidity, and other weather-related phenomena on pathogens, vectors, and animal hosts but are also part of a complex of social and environmental factors that will be affected by climate change, including land use, migration, and vector control. Vector- and waterborne diseases and coccidioidomycosis are all likely to be affected by a warming planet; there is also potential for climate-driven impacts on emerging infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance. Additional resources for surveillance and public health activities are urgently needed, as well as systematic education of clinicians on the health impacts of climate change.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)950-956
Number of pages7
JournalClinical Infectious Diseases
Volume76
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2023

Keywords

  • One Health
  • climate change
  • epidemiology
  • infectious diseases
  • public health

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