How can climate change impact human health?

Climate change has significant and direct impacts on human health, and leading to increased heat-related illnesses, respiratory problems, and the spread of infectious diseases is a particularly critical consequence. As global temperatures rise, heat waves become more frequent and severe, which can result in heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and exacerbate existing health conditions, particularly in vulnerable populations such as the elderly or those with pre-existing health issues.

Additionally, climate change can affect air quality by increasing the levels of pollutants, which can lead to respiratory problems like asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as well as worsen cardiovascular conditions. The alteration of climatic conditions also facilitates the spread of infectious diseases. For instance, warmer temperatures can expand the habitats of vectors such as mosquitoes, resulting in the increased transmission of diseases like malaria and dengue fever.

The other options, while they may address broader environmental or economic issues, do not directly relate to the way climate change affects human health. Economic booms and improved agricultural yield can have varying impacts but are not direct health impacts of climate change itself. Similarly, increased greenhouse gas emissions exacerbate the issue of climate change rather than being a direct health effect.