Health Effects of Climate Change (HECC) in the UK: State of the evidence 2023 (UK Health Security Agency, 11 November 2023)

Summary

This is the fourth Health Effects of Climate Change in the UK report, which provides evidence, analysis and recommendations based on climate change projections for the UK.

Climate change affects most health determinants directly or indirectly by influencing the weather conditions we experience on a day-to-day basis. Climate change can increase risks to health directly through greater severity and frequency of extreme weather events such as flooding, drought, heatwaves or wildfires. Heatwaves, for example, have already led to excess deaths in England and they can increase burden on health and care services, increase strain on water, energy and transportation infrastructure and can have implications such as crop loss and reduced air quality that can also impact health. Many infectious diseases are highly climate sensitive, and with warmer temperatures we can expect an increased risk of new and emerging infectious diseases in the UK, including those transmitted through mosquito and tick bites. The impact of climate change on individuals will vary, with the worst effects on disadvantaged and vulnerable populations, which could widen health inequalities further.