Effects of climate change on health in the United Kingdom
[3] Health threats due to climate change in the UK include heatwaves, floods, storms, air pollution and new infectious diseases, among others.
[3][5] Without climate change mitigation or adaptation, heat-related deaths could increase sixfold by the 2050s, particularly affecting children, the elderly and people with pre-existing conditions.
[6] Flooding in the UK presents another major threat, currently affecting over six million people, with this number expected to rise significantly as temperatures increase.
[12][13] Mental health is also heavily impacted, with extreme weather and climate change anxiety driving distress, particularly among younger populations.
Addressing these disparities is crucial to ensuring equitable health outcomes as the country confronts the growing impacts of climate change.
[31] People who are at an increased risk of dying from heat exposure include the elderly, young children, those who have low socioeconomic status or pre-existing diseases.
[35] Although taking medications (particularly those influencing body's heat regulation and the stability of the cardiovascular system) are potential risk factors for heat-related death, their exact impact is not known.
[43] Based on heatwaves in the West Midlands in 2003-2006, it is estimated that reflective “cool” roofs could significantly reduce temperatures by 0.3°C (about 23% of the urban heat island effect).
[47] A survey by the British Red Cross in 2023 reported that the public acknowledges that many people lack information about their risk and are unprepared to cope with heat events, particularly those who are likely to be the most vulnerable.
[48] In the future the vulnerability of the British population to heat will depend on the ability to implement strategies for effective, sustainable, and equitable adaptation, which requires behaviour change by policy makers, service providers and individuals.
[50] The ageing population and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, particularly multimorbidity, will exacerbate the impact of climate change, making people more vulnerable to extreme temperatures.
[51] Therefore, public health policies and behaviour change interventions that promote healthy ageing and reduce risk factors for chronic diseases might improve heat resilience of the UK population.
[12] UK agriculture might initially benefit by extended growing seasons, but ongoing heating trends and increased extreme weather events will likely strain domestic food production.
[67] Increased pest pressure may also reduce yields for key crops, potentially intensifying reliance on imports, especially given the rise in demand for tropical fruits.
This could exacerbate existing public health issues such as obesity and other diet-related non-communicable diseases, by making it harder for people to afford or access fresh produce.
This pattern is widening health inequalities, with individuals from low-income households in deprived socioeconomic areas being twice as likely to be obese and consuming 42% fewer fruits and vegetables than the recommended five daily portions.
[2] There are long-term mental health impacts from experiencing flooding in the United Kingdom, including anxiety during heavy rain, associated with panic attacks, sleep problems, difficulties with concentrating on daily activities, and use of alcohol and prescription medicine.
Other demographic factors that might be associated with higher levels of distress are being under the age of 65, living in rental accommodation, having a lower income, being unemployed, and having prior medical conditions.
[2] Based on the reported individual experiences of recovery after the 2013/2014 floods in Somerset, it seems that community as well as institutions (such as emergency services) play an important role in supporting mental health in the immediate aftermath and the longer-term.
Suicide risk, hospital admissions for people living with mental health conditions, anxiety, depression, acute stress have all been linked with extreme heat in the UK and beyond.
[49] Climate distress involves multiple unpleasant emotions including sadness, anger, anxiety, fear, hopelessness, despair, guilt and shame.
[96] The UK's elderly population are particularly vulnerable to extreme weather events, especially heatwaves and floods due to pre-existing health problems and reduced mobility.
These strategies include sourcing all electricity from low carbon sources, investing in and accelerating the deployment of renewable infrastructure, upscaling hydrogen production, regulating the oil and gas industry, engaging with companies to align with net zero targets, decarbonising the transport sector, and upgrading heating and buildings to optimise energy efficiency.
These methods include early surveillance of environmental health data (e.g., occurrence and impacts of extreme weather events, air quality exposure) and incidence of climate-related conditions.
[107] Achieving net zero can have positive effects on health as proposed policy actions would lead to reduced air pollution, increased physical activity, and improved diet.
[108][109] A combination of emission reduction policies related to electricity generation, transport, home energy, active travel, and diets are predicted to result in British people gaining 2 million more cumulative life-years by 2050.
[110] Climate change mitigation policies affecting housing can also have positive effects on health and reduce carbon dioxide emission by 0.6 megatonnes.
If England and Wales meets the European best practice for walking, cycling, and reduced car use, there is the potential for 7.6% reduction in ischaemic heart disease, stroke, dementia, diabetes, depression, and cancers.
[109] Replacing half of the UK's meat and dairy consumption with cereals, vegetables, and fruits could reduce dietary emissions by 19% and avert 37,000 premature deaths.
Those with lower socioeconomic status will have less resources to both mitigate (e.g. less consumer power for green goods) and adapt to (e.g. home insulation, growing costs of food) climate change.
