Human Health

Human Health & Climate Change

There are at least five major climate-related hazards that directly affect human health: extreme heat, flooding, drought, vector borne diseases, and air pollution.

Although we haven't yet seen a significant increase in extreme heatwaves in Minnesota, climate change is expected to increase the frequency and severity of both heatwaves and extreme weather. Across Minnesota, the number of days with temperatures above 90°F is projected to increase anywhere from 10 to 40 days per year by the 2100. Heatwaves can lead to dehydration, heat stroke and even death. They already affect Minnesotans' health in the present day:, but longer and hotter heatwaves will disproportionately affect the elderly and those with underlying health conditions, such as cardiovascular disease.

The record-breaking heatwave in the U.S. Pacific Northwest in June 2021 caused more than 600 excess deaths in one week in Washington and Oregon and was worsened by human-caused climate change.

Flooding is expected to also become more severe as "mega-rain" events occur more frequently. Flooding can lead directly to loss of life via drowning, or it can cause indirect harm by damaging health infrastructure (such as hospitals), causing water-borne disease outbreaks, or promoting mold growth.

68% of water-borne disease outbreaks in the U.S. between 1948 and 1994 occurred after heavy precipitation events.

Too much water can cause flooding, but too little water can lead to drought. Drought can directly affect human health by decreasing the availability and quality of drinking water, reducing crop yields, and degrading air quality. 

A warming climate also increases the risk of pest-borne illnesses. Longer growing seasons, increased humidity and overall warming can increase the geographic range of disease-carrying insects such as ticks and mosquitoes, leading to an increase in or emergence of new vector-borne illnesses.

Incidences of Lyme Disease in the U.S. doubled between 1991 and 2013. 

Finally, climate change can lead to poor air quality through increased ozone production, longer allergen seasons, and suspension of microparticles that get into the respiratory system.