Scientists have warned of an increase in the number of infections due to climate change

A recent study by the Global Health Network at Oxford University's Nuffield School of Medicine warns of the growing threat of infectious diseases such as malaria, dengue fever and tuberculosis caused by climate change and poverty. The results showed that climate change, poverty, and antimicrobial resistance pose a threat to global health that can be called a "creeping catastrophe." This was reported on December 2 by Medical Xpress magazine.

During the analysis, the researchers examined the data of 7,3752 health workers and researchers from 151 countries. It was clarified that 86.9% of the participants represented low- and middle-income countries. They argue that, combined, climate change, poverty, and drug resistance are creating an escalating health crisis.

According to data collected in Africa, Asia and Latin America, experts consider diseases transmitted through vectors such as malaria and dengue fever, as well as tuberculosis and HIV to be the fastest growing threats./AIDS. In addition to climate change, socio-economic inequality and antimicrobial resistance were identified as the main contributing factors.

"This study provides unprecedented data from the study of communities currently facing these climate change threats across the Global South, where the burden of disease is highest," said Professor Trudy Lang, director of the Global Health Network at the University of Oxford's Nuffield School of Medicine and senior author of the study.

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According to him, the data and conclusions are based on life experience and global diversity. The study demonstrated that the next major health emergency may not be a sudden new outbreak, but a worsening of the course of hidden diseases.

The authors argue that this risk will not manifest itself as a sudden outbreak of the disease, but will develop as a slowly developing humanitarian catastrophe. The challenge is to address these global challenges by strengthening health systems and creating effective prevention measures. The researchers emphasized the need for long-term investments in diagnostics, monitoring, and research collaboration.

"We know that climate and health are inseparable, and by fighting common causes of disease — from climate change to antimicrobial resistance — we can strengthen health systems to address current and emerging challenges," said Josie Golding, head of the Department of Epidemics and Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases at Wellcome.

Earlier, on November 16, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) newspaper reported on the impact of climate change on mental health. According to the publication, extreme heat, super typhoons and large-scale floods are increasingly becoming a factor of psychological pressure and form anxiety, worsen mood, as well as cognitive functions.

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