How have climate disasters been affecting human health?

The impact of an influx of extreme weather events such as flash floods, hurricanes, heat waves and wildfires is affecting the health of the world’s citizens. 

“We’re seeing extreme weather — both heat waves and extreme winter storms — and ramped-up hurricanes that produce much more rain over longer periods of time, as well as worsening droughts, and all the health consequences of people driven from their homes,” Jeni Miller, the executive director of The Global Climate & Health Alliance, told Devex.

Extreme heat, for example, can cause tropical infections, pregnancy complications, mosquito-related illnesses and more.

“We found 58 percent of infectious diseases confronted by humanity worldwide have been at some point aggravated by climatic hazards,” reads a related study by the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa, which also shows human diseases have grown by nearly 60 percent due to increasing greenhouse emissions.

At Children Believe, we’ve seen the effects of climate change in the countries we work. We conduct assessments to address the needs children, families and communities have to help provide better emergency response and resilience.

You can help by giving a green gift through our gift catalogue today.

About Children Believe

Children Believe works globally to empower children to dream fearlessly, stand up for what they believe in — and be heard. For 60+ years, we’ve brought together brave young dreamers, caring supporters and partners, and unabashed idealists. Together, we’re driven by a common belief: creating access to education — inside and outside of classrooms — is the most powerful tool children can use to change their world.

About Childfund Alliance:

A member of ChildFund Alliance, Children Believe is part of a global network of child-focused development organizations working to create opportunities for children and youth, their families and communities. ChildFund helps nearly 23-million children and their families in 70 countries overcome poverty and underlying conditions that prevent children from achieving their full potential. We work to end violence against children; provide expertise in emergencies and disasters to ease the harmful impact on children and their communities; and engage children and youth to create lasting change and elevate their voices in decisions that affect their lives.