WHAT IS PLANETARY HEALTH?
Illnesses caused by infections by microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites are increasing in spread and severity due to environmental changes.
The rise of infectious diseases is exacerbated by global anthropogenic environmental changes, which are deeply intertwined with socioeconomic and ecological factors. Biodiversity loss, climate change, chemical pollution, and the introduction of non-native species are linked to increases in infectious disease-related outcomes.
Climate change, combined with global mobility and urbanization, is significantly influencing the distribution of vector-borne, food-borne, and water-borne diseases. For instance, dengue virus infections have doubled every decade since 1990, with other mosquito-borne diseases like chikungunya and Zika experiencing similar trends. These vector-borne diseases are particularly sensitive to environmental changes, with human activities such as urban expansion, infrastructure development, and agriculture serving as key predictors of their occurrence.
Deforestation has also been linked to the increase in the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. Warm, partially shaded pools that form beside roads seeping into forests, and puddles behind debris where water is no longer absorbed by trees, provide optimal breeding grounds for these mosquitoes.
The distribution of malaria-carrying mosquitoes has shifted substantially. Anopheles mosquitoes have expanded their range over the past century, moving over 500 kilometers southward and 700 meters up in altitude, driven by changes in rainfall, temperature, and humidity.
Bacterial infections are also becoming more prevalent due to climate change, deforestation, and pollution. Vibrio bacteria, found in coastal waters, are thriving under conditions shaped by rising sea temperatures and altered salinity levels. These bacteria can cause severe illnesses, ranging from gastroenteritis to life-threatening cholera and sepsis.
Addressing these challenges requires comprehensive strategies that tackle their root causes. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, maintaining healthy ecosystems, preventing the spread of invasive species, and conserving biodiversity are essential measures to lower disease risks. When combined with efforts to improve social and economic conditions, these actions can significantly mitigate the growing burden of infectious diseases.
Infectious Diseases Climate Change
Researchers from the Revitalising Informal Settlements and their Environments (RISE) program reveal a “perfect storm” of health risks currently at play in urban informal settlements.
• Research & Reports
Infectious Diseases Communications
We’re excited to open up the Next Gen (formerly PHCA) Speaker Series to all youth and early-career professionals in the PHA network! On 24 April, we heard from Paul Olale, who discussed enhancing community awareness on the risks and consequences of inappropriate handling of antimicrobials across the Planetary Health and One Health space for social behavior change.
• Videos
Infectious Diseases Life Stage and Reproductive Health
• Research & Reports
Infectious Diseases Climate Change
This study models Malaria transmission and provides a solution for common data inconsistencies encountered in healthcare and epidemiological research, while also offering predictions on incidence rates, thereby enabling more informed decision-making processes.
• Research & Reports
Infectious Diseases Waste Management
This podcast explores the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance, with experts discussing how chemicals and microbes from waste contribute to its rise in the environment.
• Podcasts
