Individual Recently Detected with Climate-Induced Ailment
In a groundbreaking development, a Canadian woman in her 70s has become the first person officially diagnosed with health issues directly linked to climate change [1]. Dr. Kyle Merritt, an emergency physician in British Columbia, made the diagnosis, highlighting the urgent need for healthcare professionals and policymakers to address the health impacts of the climate crisis.
The woman, who has pre-existing conditions including asthma, diabetes, and heart failure, experienced severe breathing difficulties following an unprecedented heatwave that saw temperatures reach nearly 50°C (122°F) [2]. The extreme heat, exacerbated by the lack of air conditioning in her trailer, caused dehydration and worsened her respiratory distress.
This case is a crucial step towards recognising climate change as a direct cause of illness. Medical professionals worldwide are increasingly advocating for policies that protect planetary health, emphasising that safeguarding the environment is essential to protecting human health [3].
Climate change is particularly impacting women's health, contributing to a rise in certain cancers such as breast, ovarian, uterine, and cervical cancers. A recent study focusing on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region found a clear link between rising temperatures and increased cancer rates and mortality among women [4]. For every degree Celsius increase in temperature, cancer prevalence rose by 173 to 280 cases per 100,000 people, with ovarian cancer showing the largest increase.
The mechanisms behind this include heat-induced exposure to pollutants, healthcare disruption, and social vulnerabilities. Rising temperatures can increase exposure to harmful environmental pollutants, which may alter cell structures and promote cancer development [4]. Extreme heat affects healthcare systems, causing delays in diagnosis and treatment for women, exacerbating cancer outcomes [4]. Women may face greater vulnerability due to socioeconomic factors, limited healthcare access, and cultural taboos that deter early cancer detection, especially in conservative regions [1][4].
Besides cancer, climate change impacts women's reproductive health more broadly. Extreme heat, intensified by urbanization and the urban heat island effect, can reduce fertility, increase miscarriage risk, and delay conception, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where socioeconomic disadvantages limit adaptive capacity [3]. Skin cancers are also on the rise globally due to climate-related factors such as increased ultraviolet radiation and higher temperatures, with rural populations—where many women work outdoors—experiencing compounded risks due to greater exposure and limited healthcare access [2].
The developments underscore the urgent need to integrate climate resilience into public health planning globally. The region where the study was conducted also suffered from massive wildfires that drastically reduced air quality, making it 43 times worse than acceptable levels during the summer months [4].
This approach shifts the focus from treating symptoms to addressing root causes, highlighting the interconnectedness of environmental and human well-being. Dr. Merritt and colleagues have launched an initiative called Doctors and Nurses for Planetary Health, aiming to raise awareness and equip healthcare professionals to address climate-related health issues more systematically [1].
References: [1] Euronews [2] Frontiers in Public Health [3] Fortune [4] NBC News, The Earth View, The Hill, India Today.
- The diagnosis of a Canadian woman's health issues being linked to climate change signals the need for environmental science and healthcare professionals, such as Dr. Kyle Merritt, to collaborate in addressing the health impacts of the climate crisis.
- Climate change has particularly devastating effects on women's health, leading to increased cancer rates and reproductive health issues, as observed in a study focusing on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
- Recognizing climate change as a direct cause of illness requires a comprehensive approach that integrates climate resilience into public health planning and leverages initiatives like Doctors and Nurses for Planetary Health, aiming to systematically address climate-related health issues.
