GLOBAL WARMING'S EFFECT ON HUMAN HEALTH
Global Warming is becoming a very serious problem in the world today. You might not know, but global warming has a great effect on human health. Diseases are more abundant because of the more favorable environment for them to grow. This site is dedicated to helping people learn more about the effects of global warming on humans. So sit back, relax, and let your mind go!
Questions for analysis:
Before 1990, it was stated that 13% of the world's population was at risk of infection.
Now that the temperatures have risen, it is said that 65% of the world's population is at risk of infection.
Malaria, dengue fever, and encephalitis are just a few of the diseases that are caused by global warming.
As the mosquito population increases, so will the diseases because most diseases are mosquito-borne
Warm temperatures are the most favorable for diseases to grow.
Scientists are working very hard to try and find a way to stop the heating. Nothing has been invented yet to stop it completely, but since the temperature is rising at such a slow pace, we have some time.
7. Where do the diseases start (are there hosts?)?
Mosquitoes are the hosts for these diseases. The mosquito carries the disease and infects anyone it may come into contact with.
There has been an increase of 20% over the last years of the amount of diseases that have infected people.
We have not found any cure-all remedy, but the hospitals can help by given antibiotics and things like that.
The temperature is increasing at a very slow rate. So it is not as if it is rising at a speed that we cannot control.
Greenhouse gases are the main reason that the temperature is increasing (see below for more information)
We have not found any organizations, but the hospitals are all trying their best to help the cause.
No, these diseases can only be spread through mosquitoes.
The rule is that the warmer the temperature, the better. So you can guess that the summer is when diseases are at their worst.
Warm places are the most favorable- places like the tropics, Africa, and others like that.
The obvious will occur if this is not stopped- things like people dying, hospitals will become over-crowded, etc.
They can become fatal if they are left unattended to.
There are plenty of medicines and antibiotics out there that can help, but like we said before, there is no cure-all.
No, just like a mosquito can infect a human, it can infect a dog, cat, monkey, etc.
If a person is weak already, he is more likely to get the disease. A more healthier person may be able to fight off some of the symptoms.
General Information
Diseases
Solutions
General Information:
It is predicted that global warming has a negative effect on human health. Because high temperatures place additional stress on the human body, heat waves tend to cause an increase in death rates. Malaria and other communicable disease which are spread by insects are also highly temperature dependent. These diseases are most destructive in tropical regions, but global warming could make them more dangerous to other communities. Not much is known about the future impact of these diseases in the United States, but there is definitely potential higher risk if this problem continues.
The trouble doesn't end here, though. There are also possible indirect health effects that would result from droughts (and other weather events like the such) which are said to be started by global warming. An increase in the average temperature would also be adversely effected and cause an increase in malnutrition, which would then weaken immunity to diseases.
Greenhouse gasses, which are the main factor in global warming, may also cause health problems unrelated to climate change. Chlorofluorocarbons (CFC's) destroy ozone in the atmosphere. As the ozone becomes more and more depleted, an increased amount of ultraviolet radiation is able to reach the earth's surface. Ultraviolet radiation causes several cases of skin cancer every year, and the numbers are increasing. Ultraviolet radiation also weakens the human immune system, making people more vulnerable to diseases. These negative health effects mostly impact undeveloped countries where many people suffer from malnutrition. They are less able to combat food and water shortages, or the breakout of diseases in their communities. The elderly, chronically ill and small children are also more susceptible to these health effects associated with global warming.
Diseases:
Just a few of the diseases caused by climate change are malaria, dengue fever, and encephalitis. Scientists and doctors are worried that if we don't act fast, these diseases could be reported all across the United States. As temperatures rise, disease-carrying mosquitoes and rodents spread, infecting people as they go. Doctors at Harvard Medical School have linked recent US outbreaks of these diseases to the climate change.
~Malaria~
Global warming could mean millions more around the world will become infected with malaria. Houston has experienced a malaria outbreak in each of the last 2 years. In the 1990's malaria cases have occurred as far north as New Jersey, Michigan, and New York. Scientists think that as warmer temperatures spread north and south from the tropics and to higher elevations, malaria-carrying mosquitoes will spread with them. They also stated that 65% of the world's population is at risk of infection, which is an increase of 20%.
~Dengue Fever~
In McAllen Texas, in 1995, a dengue fever outbreak occurred. The newspapers in Houston read, "Warming Climate Invites Dengue Fever To Texas." Epidemiologists reported that unusually mild winter and hotter than normal summers contributed to the spread of the disease, which is carried by mosquitoes.
~Encephalitis~
Outbreaks of this disease are also rising. Like the other diseases, it too is a mosquito-borne illness with strong links to warmer temperatures. Since 1987, there have been major outbreaks in Florida, Mississippi, New Orleans, Texas, Arizona, California, and Colorado.
Solutions:
Unless we slow and ultimately reverse the buildup of greenhouse gases, we will have decades to try to adapt to radical changes in weather patterns, sea levels, and serious threats to human health. Although not much is known at this time to try and stop global warming. But, we need to act fast or else diseases will spread, floods, storms, and agricultural losses could devastate our economy, plants and animals that cannot adapt to the new conditions will become extinct.
Conclusion:
By completing this project, my partner and I have made ourselves known to what can happen if this problem of global warming is not looked at seriously. Not only are diseases more present, but sea levels rise, animals are infected, polar regions are infected, and much more. Before starting this project, if someone would have asked me about global warming, I would not have known where to start- I did not even know that the temperature was rising! But now, I can spread my knowledge to others. If we wan t to stay in this world, on this planet, we need to do something about this problem. Moreover, if this project can help other people get informed and make a difference, then I think that we have done our job.
