Climate change UK style
The Department of Health, in association with the Health Protection Agency, has published a report on the possible health effects of climate change that identifies the possible health consequences if no action is taken to avoid significant climate change.
- By 2012 there will be a one in 40 chance that the South East of England will experience a serious heatwave causing 3,000 immediate heat-related deaths.
- While malaria outbreaks in Britain are likely to remain rare and easily controlled, health authorities need to remain alert to the possibility of larger outbreaks in continental Europe and the emergence of more deadly European strains of mosquitoes in wetland areas of Britain.
- Tick-borne diseases such as Lyme disease are likely to become more common due to changes in land management and an increase in outside leisure time.
- Increased exposure to sunlight will lead to a rise in skin cancers.
- The number of people at a high risk from flooding is set to rise from 1.5 million to 3.5 million by 2100.
- There will be up to 14,000 (14.5 per cent) more cases of food poisoning, including salmonella, per year.
But the good news is ... Winter deaths will continue to decline as the climate warms.
Download Health effects of climate change in the UK from the DH website.