Climate change has hampered global initiatives to fight three of the deadliest infectious diseases: Malaria, HIV and Tuberculosis (TB). Worldwide, Malaria kills between 400,000-625,000 people each year, while TB kills 1.5 million people. In 2022 alone 630,000 people died from HIV-related causes. Despite international programs to prevent the spread of these diseases, the world will miss its target of eradicating TB, HIV and Malaria by 2030 without monumental efforts. Global warming fuels the spread of infectious diseases in many ways. Changing climates have allowed malaria to spread to new regions that were once too cold for mosquitos to survive. Once-in-a-lifetime storms and droughts are becoming routine, placing immense strain on health services and uprooting entire communities. Floods also increase the risk of waterborne infections such as malaria and dengue fever. Studies show that these hazards will continue to worsen as the climate crisis intensifies.
Full Story: Reuters