NCDs and climate change as we move towards COP28
2023 has been a year with devastating climate change. July was the hottest month ever recorded, October was by far the warmest October ever. There have been killer heat waves all over the world, in all continents, and severe floods, droughts, storms and wildfires. According to scientists, this is not an outlier but rather what is expected to be the new normal.
According to UNSG Guterres, “The era of global warming has ended. The era of global boiling has arrived. The air is unbreathable and the heat is unbearable. And the level of fossil fuel profits and climate inaction is unacceptable”. These are powerful words.
The #heat and #airpollution that Guterres emphasized are strongly related to the impacts of climate change on #NCDs. And children and pregnant women are among the worst affected by both extreme heat and air pollution, along with the #poor and #marginalized and #peoplelivingwithNCDs.
In the scientific literature, we often see references to heat-related deaths. These deaths are actually caused by NCDs such as #heartdisease, #stroke , #kidneydisease and #braindamage. In acute instances, extreme heat can lead to?sudden organ failure and death.?It is estimated that such heat related deaths will rise significantly by 2030.
#PeoplelivingwithNCDs are more vulnerable to severe outcome of extreme heat, which can both trigger and exacerbate NCDs.
Many of us have heard about the heavy death toll of #airpollution; 7 million every year. However, it is probably not that well known that 85% of these deaths can be attributed to NCDs, including #ischemicheartdisease, #stroke, #COPD, asthma and lung cancer. In this context it should be emphasized that early life exposure to air pollutants is especially harmful and may increase NCD risk throughout the life course.
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Polluted air also increases the risk of stillbirth and miscarriage, as well as neurological conditions such as cognitive impairment.
Fortunately, it is possible to combat and counter the trend of increasing heat and air pollution related deaths. Increased awareness is crucial, and we must act both in climate forums like #COP28, as well as in global health forums and national health systems and across sectors nationally, regionally and globally and include these important topics as we prepare for the 4th High level meeting on #NCDs in 2025.?
Stronger health systems is a key factor. And since people with NCDs are especially vulnerable to climate impacts, they should include?NCD diagnosis, prevention and treatment at primary health care level and implement the #bestBuys for #NCDs. In many low- and middle-income countries, these interventions are often not considered part of #UHC.?Primary healthcare facilities would need simple diagnostic technologies to measure blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and peak expiratory flow (an indicator of respiratory diseases).?They also lack basic medicines listed in WHO’s?Package of Essential NCD (PEN)?interventions. Investments must be strengthened to cope with today’s already large NCD burden – and prepare better for tomorrow – including more heat–related diseases.?
Early warning systems and heat action plans are also key ingredients to reduce the impact on people of both climate and weather events and episodes of extreme air pollution levels. Since climate emergencies now are becoming routine, more cities and countries need to consider the development of heat and health guidelines and action plans.?