But we are currently ill-prepared to address potential threats, and we particularly need to develop ‘early warning systems of climate stressors’¦ and early mobilisation of disaster and emergency response services’.
This is according to Jonathan Elliot Myers and Hanna-Andrea Rother, from the University of Cape Town’s Centre for Occupational and Environmental Health Research, writing in the SA Health Review 2012/13.
An increase in temperature and a change in the moisture in the air can cause a number of health problems ‘particularly for shack dwellers and old people who are most vulnerable to temperature changes.
Extreme heat can increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes in the elderly.
Diminished rainfall will impact on water supply, which can also get saltier. This will negatively affect agriculture and thus food production.
A change in air quality can lead to an increase in pollutants and airborne pollens and spores that can affect health.
Globally, climate change is causing rising sea levels and extreme weather events. This can displace people and cause social instability.
However, some effects of climate change may also be positive, such as ‘more ultraviolet radiation improving the Vitamin D status of dark-skinned populations in the southern-most regions’. As Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to TB susceptibility, this could mean a decrease in TB incidence in the Western Cape.
The bottom line is that there is little current research into climate change and health, particularly information that is accurate for ‘districts, suburbs or neighbourhoods’ ‘ rather than large areas such as provinces, according to the authors.
If we are to anticipate and adapt to climate change, we need to start preparing for it, and only KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape, particularly the provincial metros, have started to develop plans. ‘ Health-e News.
