One Health: Facing the Fire of Climate Change
Climate change has adverse consequences on different aspects of health and well-being of human beings. It has threatened the basic foundations of health, such as clean air, nutritious food, and safe drinking water. It has widened the existing inequalities between and within nations, further limiting the abilities of vulnerable communities to realise their rights to health. Now more than ever, it has become essential to talk about this global crisis!
Our Sub - Themes
This year, the SheffWHO Simulation Conference will explore climate crisis and its impact on health through the following sub-themes:
Malnutrition - Feeding the World
Climate change impacts the food system by reducing the amount of food produced and by affecting the nutrient quality of food. Subsequently, this contributes to increased inequalities in societies.
Poor access to safe water is closely related to climate change and ecosystem conditions such as extreme heat, droughts, and water pollution.
Air Pollution - The Hidden Threat
Globally 99% of the population breathe air that exceeds the guideline limit set by WHO on air pollutants. Air pollution is responsible for killing approximately 7 million people annually through increased cases of strokes, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lung cancer and acute respiratory infections. Therefore, tackling air pollution around the world would not only mitigate the devastating effects of the climate crisis but also benefit the health of billions of people.
Natural Disasters - Disrupting the World
Climate related disasters have tripled in the last 30 years forcing more than 20 million people a year from their homes. Natural disasters have a direct impact on public health via direct physical injuries, acute disease or long lasting emotional trauma. It’s important to recognise that the health impacts of disasters are not limited to the immediate effects of an event but will also have long term consequences on health and well-being.
Social Inequality - Balancing the Scales
While no one is safe from the risks of climate change, the people whose health tend to be harmed the most by the climate crisis are the people who contribute least to climate change. The people who fall in disadvantaged groups suffer disproportionately from the effects of climate change, thus resulting in greater subsequent inequality. These inequalities reflect socioeconomic, demographic, and health-related differences and differences in governance, entitlements, and other factors.