Health and climate change: policy responses to protect public health

The Lancet, 2015, dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(15)60854-6

This report by the 2015 Lancet Commission maps out the impacts of climate change by examining the latest health data, and suggests the necessary policy responses in order to ensure the highest attainable standards of health for populations worldwide.

The report shows that the direct health impacts of climate change come from the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, especially heat waves, floods, droughts and storms. Indirect impacts come from changes in infectious disease patterns, air pollution, food insecurity and malnutrition, involuntary migration, displacement and conflicts.

The report provides comprehensive new evidence showing that the rising risks of climate change and air pollution affect many facets of public health. It also provides a clear set of recommendations for policy makers to enable an effective response to climate change that protects and promote human health.

This report is a continuation of the landmark 2009 Lancet Commission report, “Managing the Health Effects of Climate Change.” The Lancet Commission is multidisciplinary and international in nature, with strong collaboration between academic centres in Europe and China.