Climate Change

More activity will be needed to mitigate negative climate impacts on residents’ health, especially those more vulnerable to climate change. These impacts are likely to impact vulnerable and disadvantaged communities to a greater extent, potentially widening heath inequalities.

The UKHSA has developed detailed analysis of the current evidence base of climate change impacts on health, as well as mitigation methods (Appendix 2). There are potential health benefits to be gained from climate change mitigation interventions. Examples include:

• Improved insultation in homes: Improved thermal comfort in homes can reduce cardiovascular and respiratory illness and improve mental health outcomes. Reduced damp within homes from improved insultation and ventilation may reduce cancer rates and improve respiratory conditions. Insultation can also reduce exposure to noise, improving mental wellbeing.
• Promote active transport: The use of active transport can directly improve obesity rates, reduce cardiovascular disease, and improve mental wellbeing. Reduced fossil fuel use can in turn improve air pollution, improving respiratory and cardiovascular health, and cancer rates. Reduced noise pollution from active transport can improve mental wellbeing.
• Reduce food from animal sources: Reduced animal product consumption can reduce cancer rates, improve cardiovascular health, and reduce obesity. Reduced demand for animal products can reduce animal livestock production and result in reduced greenhouse gas emissions.