Public health and forced climate change: Extreme temperature exposure and infectious disease

Journal Article · Wed Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1995 · World Resource Review

OSTI ID:46044

Hayes, R L; Hussain, S T ^[1]

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1. Howard Univ. Coll. of Medicine, Washington, DC (United States)

In this study, the authors have analyzed the incidence of selected infectious diseases along with climatological data dating from the turn of this century. They have also completed the same analysis for the summer of 1993. The authors conclude from these data that exposure to extreme increased temperatures may alter the incidence of certain infectious diseases within human populations. The precise mechanism responsible for such an association is undetermined. The authors suggest that an increase in temperature might stimulate the proliferation of microbes which in turn might influence the spread of disease. In the likely event that these data and their interpretation are correct, they believe that efforts to stabilize climate change may promote public health and reduce the cost of critical health care. In consideration of a national health care security plan, the threat of climate change should be seriously considered.

• OSTI ID: 46044
• Journal Information: World Resource Review, Journal Name: World Resource Review Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 7; ISSN WRRVE5; ISSN 1042-8011
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

56 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
APPLIED STUDIES
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
BIOLOGICAL STRESS
CLIMATIC CHANGE
DISEASE INCIDENCE
HEALTH HAZARDS
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
MAN
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE