Climate change has negative impact on human health

A new study has revealed that climate change has negative impact on the human health.

A survey of the ATS membership on climate change which found that the majority of ATS members believe that climate change is real and that it is having a negative impact on the health of the patients that they care for.

Key results of the survey included; 89 percent of respondents believe climate change was happening, 68 perecent believe climate change is being driven entirely or mostly by human activity and 65 percent believe climate change is relevant to direct patient care (either a great deal or a moderate amount.)

The survey, which was conducted by the Center for Climate Change Communication at George Mason University, polled 5,500 US ATS members and asked a series of questions about climate change and its impact on patients. The survey had a response rate of 17% and received responses from 49 states and the District of Columbia.

Reported adverse health effects attributed to climate change included worsening of asthma due to exposure to ozone or other pollutants, longer and more severe allergy seasons, and an increased number of cases of acute and chronic lung conditions.

The study is published in the American Thoracic Society.