Climate change and primary health care.
BACKGROUND
Climate change and rising average global temperatures threaten to disrupt the physical, biological and ecological life support systems on which human health depends.


OBJECTIVE
This article overviews the evidence for human induced climate change, the predicted health impacts, and the role of primary health care professionals in managing these impacts.


CONCLUSIONS
Climate change has substantial potential health effects. These include heat stress related to heatwaves; injuries related to extreme weather events such as storms, fires and floods; infectious disease outbreaks due to changing patterns of mosquito borne and water borne diseases; poor nutrition from reduced food availability and affordability; the psychosocial impact of drought; and the displacement of communities. Primary health care has an important role in preparing for and responding to these climate change related threats to human health.
Blashki
Grant
G
Department of General Practice, University of Melbourne, Victoria. gblashki@unimelb.edu.au
McMichael
Tony
T
Karoly
David J
DJ
D002980:Climate; D003141:Communicable Diseases; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D017752:Greenhouse Effect; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006304:Health Status; D018882:Heat Stress Disorders; D006801:Humans; D011320:Primary Health Care; D011634:Public Health