Effects of global climate change on health and diseases / 日本農村医学会雑誌

ABSTRACT

Effects on morbidity and mortality following both global warming and ultraviolet (UV-B) radiation increase are summarized.<BR>(1) The abnormally high atmospheric temperature (“heat wave”) may be associated with increase in morbidity and mortality of high risk groups, such as the elderly.<BR>(2) Increased photochemical oxidants in urban areas with warming trend will have effects on human health and could cause inflammatory disease of eyes and many types of respiratory diseases.<BR>(3) The concentration of agrochemicals and pesticides in the environment would increase thereby resulting in human exposure.<BR>(4) Since the climate change would affect the seasonal and geographical abundance of major vector species like mosquito, the incidence of vector-borne diseases could be affected.<BR>(5) Since depletion of stratospheric ozone layer effect would increase UV-B radiation, a number of diseases of the skin and eyes may increase.