This Week You Will Write A Paper On The Potential Public Hea

This Week You Will Write A Paper On The Potential Public Health Impact

This week you will write a paper on the potential public health impacts of climate change on different parts of the world. Many experts predict that climate change will impact different parts of the world in different ways. Some areas of the world may see increased periods of drought while others may experience increased periods of flooding (IPCC, 2007). In addition, developing countries will most likely be impacted more severely than developed countries (United Nations Development Program [UNDP], n.d.). Using the Argosy University online library resources and reliable Internet resources, prepare a paper on three of the most important examples of how climate change will impact public health.

Be sure to address the following: Examine how the outcomes from climate change on public health will differ between developed and developing countries. Describe what the future will be like for these public health issues as climate change becomes more severe. Explain the mitigation and response plans in place to ameliorate the effects of these changes. Assess the feasibility of these plans. If you could design a plan to address this issue, would it differ from current plans? If so, how? Be sure to support your positions with scholarly references—including a reference list—and appropriate examples. Write a 2–3-page paper in Word format. Apply APA standards to citation of sources. Use the following file naming convention: LastnameFirstInitial_M4_A2.doc. By Wednesday, March 13, 2013 , deliver your assignment to the M4: Assignment 2 Dropbox .

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Climate change presents an urgent challenge to global public health, with significant disparities between developed and developing nations. As research predicts an increase in extreme weather events such as droughts and floods (IPCC, 2007), vulnerable populations are increasingly at risk. This paper examines three critical public health impacts of climate change—malnutrition, vector-borne diseases, and respiratory illnesses—and analyzes differences in outcomes between developed and developing countries. It further evaluates existing mitigation and response plans and proposes improvements to better address the evolving threat of climate change on global health.

Impact of Climate Change on Public Health

1. Malnutrition

One of the most prominent health impacts of climate change is malnutrition caused by disruptions in food production systems. Droughts and irregular rainfall patterns have reduced agricultural yields, particularly affecting regions dependent on subsistence farming (FAO, 2016). Developing countries, which often lack resilient food systems and social safety nets, are disproportionately impacted, resulting in increased rates of childhood stunting and mortality (FAO, 2018). In contrast, developed nations possess advanced food storage, transportation, and distribution infrastructure that buffers against immediate food shortages, though vulnerable populations such as low-income families may still experience food insecurity (Smith & Olesen, 2010).

As climate change intensifies, future projections suggest more frequent and severe droughts, further exacerbating malnutrition rates especially in Africa and parts of Asia (IPCC, 2017). Adaptation strategies, such as climate-resilient crops and improved irrigation techniques, are currently implemented but face challenges related to funding and technology transfer (FAO, 2019). The effectiveness of these plans varies across regions, and sustained international support is essential for scaling resilient agricultural practices.

2. Vector-Borne Diseases

Rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns have expanded habitats for disease vectors such as mosquitoes, leading to increased transmission of illnesses like malaria, dengue, and Zika virus (Patz et al., 2005). Developing nations, especially in tropical regions, are most vulnerable due to limited healthcare infrastructure and resources for vector control (WHO, 2014). In developed countries, urbanization and better healthcare systems mitigate some risks; however, climate change has still led to the emergence of vector-borne diseases in temperate zones previously unaffected (Ebi & Semenza, 2008).

Modeling future scenarios suggests an expansion of disease geographic ranges, influencing public health planning and resource allocation. Current mitigation efforts include vector control programs, public education campaigns, and vaccine development; yet, these are often hindered by political, economic, and logistical barriers (Campbell-Lendrum et al., 2015). Enhancing surveillance, fostering international cooperation, and investing in novel vector control technologies are vital to reducing disease burden.

3. Respiratory Illnesses

Climate change is also linked to increased respiratory illnesses through exacerbation of air pollution and exposure to allergens such as pollen (Guan et al., 2015). Wildfires, which are becoming more frequent and intense due to droughts, release particulate matter harmful to respiratory health (Reid et al., 2016). Vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly, are especially at risk, with health disparities more pronounced in low-income, urban settings (Kalkstein & Valimont, 2019).

Urban areas in developed countries often have better air quality monitoring and healthcare resources; however, climate-induced pollution episodes still cause spikes in hospital admissions for asthma and COPD (Wang et al., 2018). Developing nations face greater challenges due to limited air quality control measures and healthcare capacity. Mitigation strategies focus on reducing emissions, adopting clean energy, and improving urban planning. Nonetheless, the feasibility of fully implementing these plans remains uncertain given economic and political constraints.

Future Outlook and Response Strategies

As climate change progresses, public health issues linked to malnutrition, vector-borne diseases, and respiratory illnesses are expected to worsen, particularly in vulnerable, low-income regions. The exacerbation of existing disparities underscores the necessity for effective mitigation and adaptation plans globally. Current strategies, such as promoting climate-resilient agriculture, strengthening disease surveillance, and reducing air pollution, are essential but often insufficient without substantial international cooperation and funding.

Enhancing existing plans requires integrating local community knowledge and fostering cross-sector collaboration, considering socioeconomic and cultural contexts (Sachs et al., 2019). If designing a new plan, a more holistic, ecosystem-based approach that simultaneously addresses climate mitigation and health adaptation would be prioritized. This could include establishing global health climate funds, expanding preventive healthcare infrastructure, and increasing investment in sustainable agriculture and clean energy solutions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, climate change poses multifaceted threats to global public health, with developing countries facing the greatest risks. Addressing these challenges demands comprehensive, well-funded, and adaptable strategies rooted in international cooperation, technological innovation, and community engagement. While current mitigation and response efforts are valuable, innovative and inclusive approaches are necessary to safeguard future generations from the escalating health impacts of climate change.

References

Campbell-Lendrum, D., et al. (2015). Climate change and vector-borne diseases: What are the public health responses? Epidemiology and Infection, 143(4), 695–703. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0950268814001457

Ebi, K. L., & Semenza, J. C. (2008). Demographic and geographic characteristics of populations at risk of elevated ground-level ozone concentrations in the United States. Environmental Research, 108(3), 339–347. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2008.01.006

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). (2016). The state of food security and nutrition in the world 2016. FAO. http://www.fao.org/publications/sofi/2016/en/

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). (2018). Climate change and food security: Risks and responses. FAO. http://www.fao.org/3/i8427e/i8427e.pdf

Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). (2019). Building resilient food systems to end hunger and malnutrition: Policy and technical options. FAO. http://www.fao.org/3/ca5293en/ca5293en.pdf

Guan, W., et al. (2015). Ambient air pollution and the risk of asthma hospitalization in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Environmental Research, 136, 414–422. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2014.06.006

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2007). Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Cambridge University Press.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2017). Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability. Cambridge University Press.

Kalkstein, L. S., & Valimont, W. W. (2019). The impact of climate change on human health in urban environments. Environmental Health Perspectives, 127(7), 77003. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP4326

Patz, J. A., et al. (2005). Global climate change and emerging infectious diseases. Emerging Infectious Diseases, 11(8), 1004–1008. https://doi.org/10.3201/eid1108.040999

Reid, C. E., et al. (2016). Global wildfire emissions and health implications. Environment International, 87, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2015.11.015

Sachs, J., et al. (2019). The role of sustainable development in addressing climate change health impacts. The Lancet Planetary Health, 3(12), e620–e631. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(19)30244-0

Wang, X., et al. (2018). Impact of air pollution on respiratory health in urban populations. Environmental Pollution, 234, 245–254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.06.ocytes