Q1: How does rising temperature affect disease patterns?
A1: Elevated temperatures can expand the range of vector-borne diseases like malaria and dengue by increasing the habitats suitable for vectors such as mosquitoes. Heat can also exacerbate chronic conditions such as heart disease.
Q2: What is the link between climate change and water-borne diseases?
A2: Climate change increases the risk of water-borne diseases through flooding and contamination of water supplies, leading to outbreaks of cholera and other gastrointestinal infections.
Q3: Can climate change influence respiratory diseases?
A3: Yes, climate change contributes to air pollution and allergens, aggravating asthma and other respiratory conditions. Increased pollen due to longer growing seasons also triggers allergies.
Q4: Does climate change affect food safety?
A4: Yes, climate change impacts food safety through altered food production environments, which can lead to an increase in food-borne illnesses due to pathogens like Salmonella.
Q5: Are mental health issues linked to climate change?
A5: The stress from dealing with climate-related disasters, such as hurricanes and wildfires, can lead to mental health challenges, including anxiety and depression.
Q6: What about the impact on healthcare infrastructure?
A6: Climate change can strain healthcare systems due to increased incidence of climate-related diseases, requiring more resources and potentially leading to overloaded health services.
SRIRAM’s