Empirical Evidence of the Effects of Climate Change on NCDs: A Literature Review

Recent years have seen a surge in research on climate change and its health impacts, highlighting the growing urgency of this issue. As climate change intensifies extreme weather events (EWEs), non-communicable diseases (NCDs) may also be exacerbated. This systematic review of 152 papers examines the effects of EWEs on NCDs. Heatwaves are associated with increased mortality from stroke, ischaemic heart disease, and respiratory conditions, though findings on morbidity are mixed. Wildfires could worsen respiratory diseases through air pollution and contribute to mental health issues, including anxiety and depression. Recurrent floods indicate long-term psychological impacts. Droughts, while harder to quantify, could lead to heat-related illnesses and mental stress due to economic hardship. Also, studies suggest that storms increase cardiovascular and respiratory risks, while also contributing to mental health problems. Vulnerable groups, particularly older adults and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations are disproportionately affected due to pre-existing conditions and limited healthcare access. Future research should focus on refining research designs and methodologies to better capture the impacts of specific EWEs on NCDs. Improved measurement and the use of direct climate change indicators, rather than proxies, could also enhance the precision of findings.