Britannica
Sources used in this answer
How can rising temperatures affect human health?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Global warming
A series of photographs of the Grinnell Glacier taken from the summit of Mount Gould in Glacier National Park, Montana, in (from left) 1938, 1981, 1998, and 2006. In 1938 the Grinnell Glacier filled the entire area at the bottom of the image. By 2006 it had largely disappeared from this view.
Rising temperatures associated with global warming pose significant risks to human health through several interconnected pathways:
- Heat-Related Stress: Increased frequency and intensity of heat waves lead to higher mortality rates, particularly among vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions. Direct physiological impacts include heat exhaustion, dehydration, and heatstroke.12
- Infectious Diseases: Warmer conditions expand the geographic ranges of disease-carrying insects and rodents. This facilitates the spread of illnesses such as malaria, West Nile virus, encephalitis, and hantaviruses.3
- Nutritional and Respiratory Issues: Disruptions to agriculture and food production can lead to malnutrition and food insecurity. Additionally, rising temperatures can increase pollen levels, exacerbating allergic reactions and cardiorespiratory illnesses.14
- Water Quality: Warmer waters promote the growth of nuisance algal blooms, which can contaminate drinking water and pose further health risks.1
The World Health Organization projects that these factors could contribute to an additional 250,000 deaths annually between 2030 and 2050.4