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Extreme temperatures due to climate change are not only impacting the environment but also human health. A new study published in the Lancet Neurology has found that higher temperatures are associated with increased hospitalizations and deaths related to health issues such as dementia, depression, and epilepsy. This adds to previous research that has already shown the negative effects of climate change on human health.

The researchers in the study focused on several nervous system conditions, including dementia, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, stroke, and migraine, as well as psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety. They found that the risk of dying from a stroke and dementia increases with higher temperatures, while both extreme hot and cold temperatures are linked to a greater mortality risk for many mental health disorders like depression. Additionally, as temperatures rise, hospitalizations related to dementia, migraines, several mental health disorders, and multiple sclerosis also increase.

One particularly vulnerable group identified in the study is dementia patients. They are more susceptible to the harms of extreme temperatures due to cognitive impairment, which limits their ability to adapt to environmental changes. Factors such as pollution, increased humidity, and reduced sunshine exposure were also found to impact mental health disorders, while neurological disorders and their treatments make it harder for the body to adapt to changing temperatures.

To mitigate the effects of climate change on these disorders, the study suggests that patients may need to adopt new behaviors such as drinking more water, avoiding exercise in hot weather, or using additional treatments.

In addition to mental health and neurological disorders, climate change has been linked to worsened respiratory issues, heart disease, and increased risks of diseases like West Nile Virus, Lyme disease, and water- and food-borne illnesses. Extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent due to climate change, also pose health risks such as death, asthma, and frostbite. Different regions of the country are affected differently by climate change, with the Midwest predicted to have the largest increase in extreme temperature-related premature deaths and the Southeast facing a greater risk of mosquito-related illnesses.

One new disorder that has emerged due to climate change is “climate anxiety,” which is the fear of climate change and its impacts on the world. This mainly affects children and young adults, adding an additional layer of stress to the already complex issue of climate change.

In a related development, the European Court of Human Rights ruled that governments have a responsibility to take action against climate change to protect their citizens. This decision came after a group of older Swiss women filed a lawsuit claiming they were at a higher risk of death from heat waves due to insufficient government action. The court emphasized that failing to address climate change is a violation of basic human rights and ordered Switzerland to pay legal fees to the group of women.

Overall, the study highlights the urgent need for action to address the health impacts of climate change, particularly on vulnerable populations with pre-existing health conditions. Adapting to changing temperatures and implementing strategies to mitigate the effects of climate change are crucial steps in protecting human health in the face of a warming planet.