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Bibliography on: Climate Change

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ESP: PubMed Auto Bibliography 10 Feb 2026 at 02:02 Created: 

Climate Change

The world is warming up, with 2023 being by far the hottest year since record keeping began and 2024 shaping up to be hotter yet. But these changes only involve one or two degrees. What's the big deal?

The amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one liter of water by one degree is one kilocalorie (kcal). Scaling up, the amount of energy required for a one-degree increase in the water temperature of the Gulf of Mexico is 2,434,000,000,000,000,000 kcals. That's 25 million times more energy than released by the WW-II atomic bomb that destroyed the city of Hiroshima and killed more than 100,000 people.

So, for every one degree increase in water temperature, the Gulf of Mexico takes on 25-million atomic bombs worth of new energy, which is then available to fuel hurricanes and other storms. Maybe a one-degree rise in temperature is a big deal.

Created with PubMed® Query: (( "climate change"[TITLE] OR "global warming"[TITLE] )) NOT pmcbook NOT ispreviousversion

Citations The Papers (from PubMed®)

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RevDate: 2026-02-09
CmpDate: 2026-02-09

Hagan S, Darkwah E, Boafo YA, et al (2025)

Climate change impacts and mental health in poor urban coastal communities in Ghana.

PLOS mental health, 2(4):e0000284 pii:PMEN-D-24-00402.

Coastal communities in African countries with lower carbon emissions face greater climate challenges but lack the capacity to address these challenges. The implication is that these communities suffer more from the impacts that climate change brings. Despite sustained research efforts into climate impacts on such communities, the mental health aspects of these impacts are often overlooked. In this study, we explored the lived experiences of climate-related mental health challenges and community coping mechanisms within three poor urban coastal communities in Ghana, West Africa. Fifty-seven community members participated in the study. Data were collected through five focus group discussions and fifteen one-on-one in-depth interviews. Thematic Network Analysis was used to analyse the data. Results showed that rising sea levels have caused loss of livelihoods and properties, which in turn have exacerbated mental health challenges within the communities. Community members' coping mechanisms include the use of techno-managerial interventions, relocation, spirituality, and social support. The findings contribute to the broader discourse on climate change and its multifaceted consequences, highlighting the interconnectedness of environmental and mental health challenges in coastal landscapes.

RevDate: 2026-02-09
CmpDate: 2026-02-09

Santangelo A, Corsello A, Villano G, et al (2025)

Climate change, gut microbiome, and epilepsy-New paradigms beyond the gut-brain axis.

Frontiers in neurology, 16:1726561.

RevDate: 2026-02-09
CmpDate: 2026-02-09

Walker C, S Pfister (2026)

Dataset of nutrient content and regionalized climate change impacts of food items per consumer country and life cycle stage based on supply location.

Data in brief, 64:112309.

This dataset quantifies the climate change impacts of approximately 500 food items depending on country of consumption and month consumed, with impacts changing based on the country of cultivation, transportation required, processing necessary, and energy used for storage and home cooking. Country specific crop cultivation impacts were used, where available, from existing databases. These cultivation impacts were combined with product dependent transportation impacts (depending on transport temperature and speed requirements) to the country of consumption. In the case that the original raw product was processed, the energy impacts for the country of origin were used. Various processing methods were incorporated (i.e. freezing, dehydrating, canning). If, after processing and transport to the country of consumption, a food item required refrigeration or freezing during storage before being purchased by the consumer, consumption country specific electricity impacts were included in the food item's total impact. Once purchased, if the food item would require cooking, the impacts of home cooking were included. This allowed for a novel dataset that provides impacts and nutritional information for each food item depending on where it is cultivated, how it is processed, and where the final consumer is located, while considering seasonal availability of fresh products each month. It allows for the impacts of individual food items to be directly compared, taking into account their full life cycle. Using this dataset, one can compare the impacts of importing out-of-season fruits and vegetables versus the additional impacts incurred due to processing and long-term storage of the same, locally grown product. As an example - in Switzerland fresh, Swiss grown apricots are only available during limited months, with a certain cultivation impact, and if consumed in Switzerland, a limited transportation impact. Fresh apricots can be imported from other countries, with their own country specific cultivation impacts, outside of these months, with additional transport impacts. Similarly, Swiss produced apricots can be deep frozen (using the Swiss electricity mix) and stored for year-long availability. This dataset offers a way to directly compare the impacts across food items and supply chains, including trade-offs between fresh out-of-season imports and locally produced items, as well as processed alternatives. In addition to the final life cycle impact values, this dataset shows the percentage of contribution of each life cycle stage of a food item to identify hotspots. It offers high reuse potential for researchers, policymakers, and supply chain analysts seeking to assess the temporal and spatial sustainability of food consumption, with the potential to include nutrition as a component. To our understanding, no dataset highlighting the contribution of each life cycle stage for food products, as well as how these contributions change depending on season, trade, and production and consumption countries exist.

RevDate: 2026-02-09
CmpDate: 2026-02-09

Ülker ED, Ç Tavşanoğlu (2026)

Oaks and Climate Change: Contrasting Range Responses of Mediterranean and Temperate Quercus Species in the Western Palearctic.

Ecology and evolution, 16(2):e73055.

Over the Quaternary, the geographic distributions of many species have experienced shifts in response to climatic changes. We examined the range-shift patterns of six oak (Quercus) species occupying different climatic zones of the western Palearctic under both past and future climate conditions. Using ecological niche models, we reconstructed distributions during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM, ~22,000 years before present), compared them to the Present, and projected future changes under two scenarios for 2081-2100 (SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-8.5). Quantitative metrics of latitudinal centroid movement, range limits, and area change revealed consistent contrasts among climatic groups. During the LGM, temperate (Q. robur and Q. petraea) and transition-zone (Q. cerris and Q. pubescens) species contracted strongly, persisting in southern refugia across Anatolia, the Balkans, and the western Mediterranean, whereas Mediterranean oaks (Q. coccifera and Q. suber) retained more stable ranges. Future projections suggest that temperate and transition-zone species will undergo substantial range loss and poleward shifts, particularly under the pessimistic scenario, whereas Mediterranean oaks will experience limited latitudinal shifts but pronounced expansion in to northern latitudes and temperate regions. These findings indicate Mediterranean oaks are ecologically distinct from temperate and transition-zone species, which show similar climate sensitivities. Our results emphasize the need for climate-zone-specific conservation strategies, including enhancing connectivity and genetic diversity for temperate and transition-zone species, and prioritizing drought-resilient populations and adaptive management for Mediterranean species, to support the long-term resilience of European oak forests under ongoing and future climate change.

RevDate: 2026-02-09
CmpDate: 2026-02-09

Iordache V, SK Kiboi (2025)

Editorial: Vegetation resilience in ecological autocatalysis under climate change.

Frontiers in plant science, 16:1756384.

RevDate: 2026-02-09

Liu B, Wu H, Tang J, et al (2026)

Multidimensional Flood Risk Analysis of High-Speed Rail Systems Under Future Climate Change.

Risk analysis : an official publication of the Society for Risk Analysis, 46(2):e70184.

Flood hazards intensified by global warming pose a severe threat to global infrastructure, including the high-speed rail (HSR) system. However, future climate impacts on HSR remain underexplored. This study presents an integrated framework for comprehensively analyzing HSR flood risks under climate change. First, we developed a three-layer HSR model to evaluate HSR performance across the topological, functional, and service dimensions. Subsequently, we simulated future flood scenarios using the CaMa-Flood model to generate flood events with varying occurrence probabilities. By integrating HSR performance losses under these flood conditions with their occurrence probabilities, we assessed the HSR flood risks and identified key influencing factors through a multifactor correlation analysis. The results predicted a considerable rise in flood risk for Chinese HSR by the late 21st century, especially in the function and service dimensions, with 12%-35% and 12%-33% increase, respectively, compared with historical baselines. We also observed significant heterogeneity in flood risk among provinces; the situation is projected to deteriorate over time. However, areas with higher socioeconomic levels and operational capacity experience lower flood risk. Furthermore, a cost-benefit analysis of varied maintenance strategies revealed that a risk-based maintenance strategy (RMS), considering both track failure probability and criticality, exhibits better efficiency than other strategies, achieving the highest average risk mitigation effect (0.02) per 1000 km of maintenance track. These insights offer a multidimensional and multiscale understanding of the HSR flood risk under climate change and provide practical guidance for climate-resilient infrastructure development and maintenance planning.

RevDate: 2026-02-09
CmpDate: 2026-02-09

Zhang WK, Wang WW, Yang WF, et al (2026)

[Impacts and Driving Mechanisms of Climate Change and Human Activities on Vegetation Carbon Sequestration in Energy-intensive Regions: A Case Study of Shanxi Province].

Huan jing ke xue= Huanjing kexue, 47(2):866-879.

Vegetation carbon sequestration (VCS) is a crucial indicator for assessing the carbon sink capacity of ecosystems. In energy-intensive regions, mining development and urbanization have significantly increased the complexity of vegetation dynamics, making it a research priority to quantify the relative contributions of climate change and human activities to VCS. Using data such as MOD17A3H Net Primary Productivity (NPP), mining site data, and meteorological data, VCS was calculated using the photosynthesis equation. The impacts of climate change and human activities on VCS in energy-intensive regions were quantified using the Thornthwaite Memorial model and trend analysis. Additionally, the Density-based Spatiotemporal Aggregation Clustering (D-STAC) index and Multi-Scale Geographically Weighted Regression (MGWR) model were employed to explore the spatiotemporal evolution characteristics of VCS and the influence of various factors at the pixel scale. The results indicate that: ① From 2001 to 2022, VCS in Shanxi Province showed an overall fluctuating growth trend, with an average value (in C) of 350.11 g·(m[2]·a)[-1] and an annual growth rate of 3.92%. The spatial distribution exhibited a gradient pattern of "high in the southeast and low in the northwest." ② VCS improved in 92.81% of the study area, primarily influenced by both climate change and human activities, accounting for 98.97% of the area. The contribution of human activities (98.52%) was significantly higher than that of climatic factors (0.45%). ③ D-STAC analysis revealed a significant increase in negative spatial autocorrelation of VCS in areas with high-density mining sites and urbanized regions, indicating that urbanization and industrial activities had an inhibitory effect on regional VCS. ④ Precipitation and elevation generally had a positive effect on VCS, while temperature had a negative effect. Nighttime light index, population density, and mining site density exhibited bidirectional effects on VCS. The research results provide a quantitative analysis framework for understanding VCS changes in energy-intensive regions and offer scientific support for the formulation of ecological policies.

RevDate: 2026-02-09

Gupta GS, Madheshiya P, Mishra AK, et al (2026)

Climate Change and Nitrogen-Fixing Legumes: Investigating Stress-Modulated Dynamics of Carbon Fixation and Root Nodulation.

Plant, cell & environment [Epub ahead of print].

In the Anthropocene era, climate change is increasingly subjecting the crops to overlapping abiotic stressors such as drought, elevated temperatures, and air pollution, thereby disrupting their physiological integrity and functional performance. This review synthesises current knowledge on responses of N2-fixing plants to such stressors, focusing on core physiological processes and symbiotic nitrogen fixation via nodulation. The intricate interdependence between these traits is explored through the lens of altered source-sink relationships, which are highly sensitive to multifactorial environmental perturbations. A key emphasis is placed on the emerging concept of multi-stress interactions, where the convergence of abiotic stressors leads to nonlinear, often compounding effects on plant metabolism, growth, and resource allocation. The modulatory role of elevated atmospheric CO2 (carbon fertilisation effect) is also examined, particularly in enhancing photosynthetic assimilation, and sustaining nitrogen-fixing potential under stress. By identifying critical knowledge gaps and integrating physiological, biochemical, and ecological insights, this review provides a holistic framework to understand legume function under compounded climate threats. Such understanding is pivotal for breeding climate-resilient legumes that not only withstand abiotic stresses but also sustain yield and soil health. This discourse directly contributes to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 13 (Climate Action), by highlighting the role of legumes in securing global food systems and ecological resilience in the face of climate uncertainty.

RevDate: 2026-02-08

Wu YL, Liang TY, Hsu WP, et al (2026)

Projected impacts of climate change on the spatial distribution and habitat preference of tropical tuna in the Pacific Ocean.

Marine environmental research, 216:107868 pii:S0141-1136(26)00037-1 [Epub ahead of print].

Climate change is altering ocean conditions such as sea surface temperature, salinity, stratification, and dissolved oxygen, reshaping habitat suitability for yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares, YFT) and bigeye tuna (Thunnus obesus, BET). This study integrated Taiwanese longline catch-per-unit-effort (CPUE) data from 1981 to 2014 with environmental covariates using a Vector Autoregressive Spatio-Temporal (VAST) framework to develop Habitat Suitability Index (HSI) models. Fishing effort increased from ∼200,000 hooks in 1991 to nearly 820,000 in 2002, before declining to ∼400,000 by 2021. YFT dominated catches until 2000, after which BET became predominant. Spatial analyses indicated BET hotspots in the tropical central and eastern Pacific, whereas YFT were more abundant in the western Pacific with smaller hotspots in the east. Suitability curves showed BET favored cooler, moderately saline, oxygen-rich waters, while YFT preferred warmer, saltier, and slightly less oxygenated conditions. Coupling HSI models with CMIP6 projections under SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-8.5 revealed contrasting redistribution patterns: BET habitats are projected to contract and shift eastward by the end of the century, while YFT habitats are expected to expand across wider Pacific regions. These findings demonstrate that climate-driven changes in tuna distribution will likely reshape fishery productivity and management requirements. Region-specific quota adjustments, flexible management zones, and strengthened multinational cooperation will be necessary. Incorporating the HSI outputs into quota setting and spatial planning can help sustain Taiwan's distant-water tuna fisheries in a changing climate.

RevDate: 2026-02-08

Zhang S, Han Q, Liu S, et al (2026)

Impact of climate change on protected area effectiveness in the middle and lower Yangtze River Basin: Implications for adaptive management.

Journal of environmental management, 401:128928 pii:S0301-4797(26)00388-9 [Epub ahead of print].

Protected areas (PAs) are essential for biodiversity conservation but face increasing challenges due to climate change. While previous research has primarily focused on the spatial extent and expansion of PAs, limited attention has been paid to how climate change affects species distributions and, consequently, the effectiveness of PAs. Here, we used species distribution models (SDMs) to project range shifts of endangered species under future climate scenarios and developed five indicators across three dimensions-biodiversity, habitat condition, and climate connectivity-to comprehensively assess PA effectiveness in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River Basin. Our findings reveal that although PAs maintain some capacity to support biodiversity-especially in terms of habitat coverage and biodiversity representation-their overall effectiveness declines over time. This decline is primarily driven by reductions in species richness and habitat suitability, along with diminished climate connectivity, especially under the high-emission scenario. Overall, approximately 50% to 70% of current conservation gaps are projected to lose their critical conservation value, while an estimated 4000 to 5000 km[2] of gaps will remain important under future climate change. Meanwhile, newly emerged gaps highlight the inadequacies of the current PA network in addressing the challenges of climate change and underscore the urgent need to expand PAs for climate adaptation. Our findings emphasize the importance of adopting adaptive management strategies that integrate climate resilience into PA planning, ensuring their long-term viability in the face of changing environmental conditions.

RevDate: 2026-02-09
CmpDate: 2026-02-09

Politano LE, York LM, Bailey JK, et al (2026)

Climate change drives convergent evolution of root traits on Sky Island climate relicts.

Scientific reports, 16(1):5373.

Roots are essential to the strategies plants use to survive in variable environments, yet we know little of how they vary within species. Experimental conditions demonstrate that intraspecific plant root traits respond strongly to variation in the environment; however, it is unclear when these responses can be characterized as evolution in response to selective pressures of climate change over many generations. Sky Islands are model, natural climate relict ecosystems to examine climate-change driven evolution. Utilizing a common garden with replicate genotypes of Populus angustifolia (Narrowleaf cottonwood) from six Sky Island (SI) populations and nine adjacent Mountain Chain (MC) populations across three genetic provenances, we hypothesized that SI root traits have diverged due to historical isolation in warmer, drier climates. When grown in common conditions, populations originating on SI's showed convergent evolution across three distinct genetic provenances, which was characterized by 44.16% decreased total root length, 42.64% decreased average root volume, 43.31% decreased root surface area, and significantly less root trait variation, relative to adjacent mountain chains. Convergent evolution of root traits from trees originating on SI's is correlated with changes in mean annual precipitation and potential evapotranspiration in the field over the past ~ 125 years. These results demonstrate a consistent pattern in root trait evolution at the landscape scale and the role of climate on the evolution of root traits in a genetic and geographic context relevant to climate change.

RevDate: 2026-02-07

Ma CS, Li DX, Wei JC, et al (2026)

Climate change and pesticide resistance: A synthesis on emerging mechanisms and evolutionary dynamics.

Current opinion in insect science pii:S2214-5745(26)00012-X [Epub ahead of print].

Pesticide resistance is a growing threat to global food security and crop protection. Beyond chemical overuse, climate change is increasingly recognized as a major driver that can reshape selection and resistance evolution. Here, we synthesize experimental evidence and plausible pathways by which warming and extreme climate events influence insecticide resistance. We first evaluate how resistance mechanisms respond to climatic stressors, including target-site insensitivity, enhanced detoxification, reduced penetration, and behavioural avoidance. We then map climate drivers to changes in resistance-allele frequencies by altering fitness gains and costs of resistance through mostly positive effects on voltinism and population abundance, distribution shifts and migration, and consequent increased insecticide use and selection pressure. Finally, we identify high-risk resistance pests and insecticides under climate change, emphasizing pests with high thermal tolerance and rapid reproduction and insecticides whose efficacy declines with temperature. We conclude that climate change can either facilitate or suppress resistance depending on pest thermal ecology and buffering capacity, the dominant resistance mechanism, MoA-specific temperature-toxicity relationships, and critically the distinction between short-term phenotypic resistance and multi-generation evolutionary trajectories.

RevDate: 2026-02-07
CmpDate: 2026-02-07

El-Sayed AAI, Younes BM, Alsenany SA, et al (2026)

Green Culture, Nurses' Climate Change Skepticism, and Eco-Capability in Hospitals: A Cross-Sectional Study.

International nursing review, 73(1):e70162.

AIM: To examine how green organizational culture and nurses' climate change skepticism influence hospitals' eco-capability, and whether climate skepticism moderates this relationship.

BACKGROUND: Hospitals contribute significantly to environmental degradation, highlighting the importance of eco-capability in achieving sustainable healthcare. Nurses play a central role in implementing environmental practices; however, their engagement may be hindered by skeptical beliefs about climate change.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 564 nurses from five hospitals in Egypt. Validated Arabic versions of the Eco-Capability in Healthcare Scale, the Green Organizational Culture Scale, and the Climate Change Skepticism Questionnaire were used. Multiple regression and moderation analyses were applied to test study hypotheses.

RESULTS: Green culture was positively associated with eco-capability, while climate change skepticism had a strong negative effect. Skepticism also moderated the culture-capability link. Eco-capability was highest among nurses with low skepticism and lowest among those with high skepticism. Participation in climate training and involvement in initiatives independently predicted higher eco-capability.

DISCUSSION: The findings show that eco-capability depends on the alignment between organizational culture and nurses' beliefs. A supportive green culture encourages sustainable practice, but its influence is reduced when nurses hold skeptical views about climate change. Educational exposure and participation in environmental activities appear to strengthen engagement and help counter belief-based barriers.

CONCLUSION: Eco-capability can be enhanced when hospitals strengthen green culture and reduce climate skepticism among nurses.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Integrating sustainability and climate content into nursing education and professional development can reduce skepticism and promote environmentally responsible practice.

Policymakers should integrate eco-capability benchmarks into accreditation standards, link sustainability indicators to nurse performance appraisal, and allocate resources for participatory initiatives that actively engage nurses.

RevDate: 2026-02-07
CmpDate: 2026-02-07

Potterf M, Schattenberg C, Krüger K, et al (2026)

Tree Regeneration After Unprecedented Forest Disturbances in Central Europe Is Robust but Maladapted to Future Climate Change.

Global change biology, 32(2):e70734.

Central Europe has been a hotspot of forest disturbance during 2018-2020, with large pulses of tree mortality from drought and bark beetles. Post-disturbance recovery is crucial for forest resilience and the continued provision of ecosystem services. We surveyed 849 plots in disturbance hotspots across 10 Central European countries to assess the state of early (3-5 years) post-disturbance tree regeneration. Our specific objectives were to quantify post-disturbance tree recovery, identify key drivers, and assess future trajectories using model-based analyses. We found robust tree recovery throughout Central Europe, with median stem densities of 4750 n ha[-1]. Only 7% of plots had no regeneration. Regeneration density increased with precipitation, particularly at warm sites, and decreased with disturbance severity and size. The most frequently regenerating tree species was Picea abies (present on 48% of plots), a species that is poorly adapted to future heat and drought. Overall, we found that 75% of the currently established trees are projected to be outside of their climatic niche by the end of the century under moderate climate change (RCP4.5). We conclude that while Central European forests recover well from recent disturbances, they lack sufficient post-disturbance reorganization to enable sufficient adaptation to future climate.

RevDate: 2026-02-07

Matindike R, W Musakwa (2026)

The gendered health impacts of climate change on smallholder women farmers in Mhondoro Ngezi, Zimbabwe.

BMC public health pii:10.1186/s12889-026-26497-z [Epub ahead of print].

BACKGROUND: Climate change poses significant threats to the livelihoods, health, and overall well-being of smallholder women farmers globally. In Mhondoro Ngezi, where agricultural production is predominantly rain-fed, high temperatures, recurrent droughts, and erratic rainfall patterns have intensified women's vulnerability to climate-induced health risks.

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the gendered health impacts of climate change on women farmers and explored how these challenges intersect with broader socio-economic inequalities.

METHODOLOGY: The research employed the Q methodology to identify and analyse women farmers' subjective viewpoints and lived experiences regarding climate-related health challenges.

RESULTS: Findings reveal that prolonged exposure to extreme heat contributes to dehydration, heat stress, and pregnancy-related complications. Declining water availability increases susceptibility to waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhoea. Food shortages caused by recurrent crop failures have also led to malnutrition, reduced dietary diversity, and weakened immunity among women and their households. These health burdens are compounded by limited access to adequate healthcare services, including shortages of essential medicines, limited diagnostic capacity, and insufficiently trained rural health workers. Women also face difficulties accessing timely medical care during extreme weather events. Structural gender inequalities, such as limited financial resources and restricted decision-making power, further constrain their ability to adapt.

CONCLUSION: The study underscores the urgent need to address the gendered health impacts of climate change, particularly for women farmers in vulnerable, climate-affected communities.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Strengthening rural health systems, investing in gender-responsive climate adaptation strategies, and improving access to climate-health information are essential. The insights generated through Q methodology highlight the importance of incorporating women's voices into climate and health policy planning to enhance their resilience and well-being.

RevDate: 2026-02-06

Kalanxhi E, R Laxminarayan (2026)

Climate change and antimicrobial resistance.

Nature reviews. Microbiology [Epub ahead of print].

Climate change is increasingly linked to a surge of extreme weather events, raising the risk of disease outbreaks and food insecurity. Meanwhile, an increase in emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, many of which do not respond to available antibiotics owing to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), poses another great challenge to public health. Although some studies have shown that climate change and extreme weather events are associated with higher levels of AMR, much work remains to determine whether these are causal linkages or merely parallel reflections of an anthropogenic change. In this Review, we explore evidence on the relationship between climate and AMR, highlighting pathways through which rising temperatures and extreme weather events might intensify this pressing issue. Beyond existing ecological evidence demonstrating correlations between temperature and AMR prevalence in clinically important pathogens, a growing body of work suggests that the predominant impact of climate change on AMR manifests through an increase in infectious disease prevalence and a demand for antimicrobial use. Current evidence on the relationship between climate and AMR is insufficient in addressing issues related to temporality and causality, and underscores the need for further research to understand the nature of these complex relationships.

RevDate: 2026-02-06

Liu H, Waters JM, Huang M, et al (2026)

Genomics of rafting crustaceans reveals adaptation to climate change in tropical oceans.

Nature communications pii:10.1038/s41467-026-69173-x [Epub ahead of print].

Rafting dispersal has been proposed as a way for coastal species to track climate-driven niche shifts. However, little information exists on how rafting species disperse and adapt to shifting environmental conditions, particularly ocean currents and salinity. Here, we integrate dispersal simulations, ecological genomics, and salinity stress experiments to investigate rafting dynamics and adaptive shifts in widely distributed crustaceans across the Indo-Australian Archipelago. We develop a quantified model to examine asymmetric gene flow between populations driven by recent seasonal oceanographic shifts. Our climatic and dispersal models suggest that rafting populations must cope with increasing salinity fluctuation caused by rapidly-shifting oceanic connectivity patterns. Our genomic data provide evidence for recent selective sweeps at osmoregulatory loci, and key duplications at glycoside hydrolase gene families. Our experimental data reveal plastic expression of osmoregulatory genes required for survival during long-distance rafting voyages. These synergies between rafting dispersal and genomic change highlight the potential for rafting species to adapt to rapidly shifting oceanographic conditions.

RevDate: 2026-02-06

Lara-Reséndiz RA, Barceló-Ayala FA, Montoya-Félix C, et al (2026)

Ecophysiological vulnerability and thermal niche shifts of an extremophile lizard under climate change in the Sonoran desert using hybrid mechanistic-correlative SDM.

Journal of thermal biology, 136:104402 pii:S0306-4565(26)00035-5 [Epub ahead of print].

The flat-tailed horned lizard (Phrynosoma mcallii), endemic to the Sonoran Desert, is a highly specialized ectotherm inhabiting sandy dunes with extreme summer temperatures (up to 49 °C) and very low annual precipitation. Listed as Threatened under Mexico's red list and Near Threatened by the IUCN, this species faces increasing risks from climate change. Despite its ecological importance, our understanding of how thermal and hydric constraints shape its current and future distribution remains limited. We assessed the vulnerability of this species using hybrid ecophysiological ensemble models integrating 193 curated occurrence records, voluntary thermal limits (with sensitivity analyses), bioclimatic variables, and three modeling algorithms (GLM, MARS, and RF). Layers of activity hours (ha) and thermal restriction hours (hr) were generated for current and projected conditions (2070, SSP5-8.5). Currently, ha ranges from 3.36 to 7.75h and is projected to increase to 6.14-10.6h by 2070, expanding activity opportunities. However, hr increases from 0 to 1.25h to values approaching 3.2h at the landscape scale, with hr within suitable habitat reaching ∼2.5h and approaching extinction thresholds (>3.85h). Predictive models, driven primarily by ha (importance = 0.357) and precipitation of the warmest quarter (Bio18 = 0.312), project a 17.1% increase in suitable habitat (from 40,304 to 47,192 km[2]), but with 30.6% losses (12,322 km[2]) across the US-Mexico transboundary region (northern Sonora, southern Arizona) and limited gains in coastal microhabitats of California and Baja California. Stable refugia cover 26,872 km[2], with potential colonization areas spanning 20,541 km[2]. When soil texture was incorporated as an edaphic constraint, a substantial fraction of projected suitable and colonization areas was excluded, highlighting the importance of sandy substrate availability. Ecological specialization, low dispersal capacity, and anthropogenic fragmentation amplify vulnerability to local extirpation. Conservation of P. mcallii requires coordinated binational monitoring, preservation of active dune systems, and ecological corridors to connect climatic refugia and mitigate thermal impacts.

RevDate: 2026-02-06

Zhang C, Chang M, Zhang H, et al (2026)

Global warming enhances nanoplastics toxicity: Insights into body shrinkage and energy deficit.

Journal of hazardous materials, 504:141305 pii:S0304-3894(26)00283-9 [Epub ahead of print].

Understanding the effects of global warming on nanoplastics ecotoxicity is crucial for environmental safety, yet the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study investigates the effects of low concentration polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) on Daphnia magna over three generations, under different mean temperature (MT) and daily temperature fluctuations (DTF), simulating both current and projected climate scenarios, and further explored the underlying mechanisms. Our results demonstrate that nanoplastics impaired growth, reproduction, and behavior, which were all exacerbated under elevated MT and/or DTF. Notably, Daphnia body size was significantly reduced in warming conditions, aligning with the temperature-size rule, which may further promote the microplastics intake due to the increased surface-to-volume ratio. Transcriptomic analysis revealed key mechanisms behind the size reduction, including disruption of chitin-based cuticle development, chitin binding, and cuticle structure components. Furthermore, nanoplastics also predominantly downregulate energetic metabolic pathways, with a more pronounced effect at elevated MT. Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) further confirmed the suppressed chitin and cuticle development and energy metabolism contribute to the enhanced nanoplastics toxicity under warming. This study highlights the amplified toxicity of nanoplastics in a warming world and provides proof-of-principle that body shrinkage and energy deficits are the key underlying mechanisms.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Nowrouzi-Kia B, Choi C, Premji R, et al (2026)

The impacts of climate change on occupational health and work among outdoor workers: A scoping review.

PLOS global public health, 6(2):e0005888.

Climate change has a significant impact on human health and productivity at work. Environmental changes, including extreme temperatures and natural disasters, contribute to psychological pressures and physical impairments which affect quality of life and well-being. This scoping review examines the effect of climate change on human health in occupational settings. A systematic search of MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, and PsycINFO identified empirical studies that analyzed the impacts of climate change on human health in relation to work. Eligible studies included employed individuals aged 18-65, peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2024, and evidence linking climate change to occupational health outcomes. Studies underwent title, abstract, and full-text screening. The scoping review, registered with the Open Science Framework, includes 62 studies. Three overarching themes emerged: (1) climate change and mental health; (2) climate change and physical health; and (3) climate change and work. Research has demonstrated the association of psychological distress with extreme weather events, occupational stress, and anxiety among outdoor workers. Physical health risks associated with higher temperatures include chronic dehydration, heat-related illnesses, and other injuries. Climate change also negatively impacts work productivity, leading to increased labour shortages and subsequent economic losses. Climate change has complex effects on the physical and mental health of workers, with significant implications for productivity and safety in the workplace. Despite growing evidence, targeted interventions remain limited. Future studies should examine the long-term health consequences, develop standardized alleviation strategies, and implement policies to protect employees from climate-related occupational hazards.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Pérez-Murillo C, López-Ramón ML, Avilés-Gómez MF, et al (2026)

[The role of Nursing in the care and control of emerging tropical diseases associated with climate change in Europe: a systematic review].

Revista espanola de salud publica, 100: pii:e202602009.

OBJECTIVE: Rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events are changing the distribution of mosquitoes, ticks, and other vectors, facilitating the spread of tropical diseases to regions where they were previously absent. With the present study, we aimed to analyze the role of Nursing in the prevention, surveillance, community education, and clinical management of emerging tropical diseases.

METHODS: A systematic review was conducted of articles published between January 2015 and December 2024, following the PRISMA protocol. The databases consulted included PubMed/PMC, Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, LILACS, Scielo, and Google Scholar, along with complementary searches in the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and World Health Organization repositories. MeSH and DeCS terms were used, combined with the Boolean operators AND and OR. A specific search strategy was developed for each database. The evidence was synthesized using a qualitative and thematic approach, integrating studies with diverse methodologies and assessing their methodological quality to weigh the strength of the findings.

RESULTS: A total of 18 studies were selected, conducted in European countries (n=15), the Middle East (n=2) and North America (n=1). The studies demonstrated the strategic role of Nursing in surveillance, prevention, community education, and clinical management of tropical diseases. The findings highlighted the need to strengthen education, research, and health policies aimed at climate adaptation. The incorporation of clinical simulation methodologies and continuous training on emerging outbreaks proved to be effective tools to enhance the response capacity to health crisis scenarios.

CONCLUSIONS: Nursing, due to its close contact with the community and its ability to lead preventive interventions, is positioned to play a key role in building health systems resilient to climate change.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Mantilla G, Pineda B, Sorensen C, et al (2025)

Building capacities in the Andean region: Training health professionals on climate change and health.

The journal of climate change and health, 25:100551.

INTRODUCTION: As the impacts of climate change increase, health professionals must understand its impact on disease and public health risks. Building capacity across various regions is essential for enhancing decision-making within the health sector and mitigating climate-related risks. In response, the Organismo Andino de Salud (ORAS-CONHU), the Global Consortium on Climate and Health Education (GCCHE) and the Panamerican Health Organization (PAHO) collaborated to launch the first virtual Andean regional course on Climate and Health.

CASE PRESENTATION: This five-week course featured twice-weekly 90-minute live virtual sessions, followed by Q&A. Participants were administered pre- and post-surveys to evaluate the course's effectiveness. Out of 950 registered individuals, 767 attended at least one session, and 418 attended six or more sessions.Results indicate increased capacity among health professionals to address climate resilience, including skills in vulnerability assessment, risk management, adaptation strategies, and effective communication.

DISCUSSION: This program is the first Spanish-language live virtual training targeting regional health officials from the Ministries of Health, National Institutes of Health, and international agencies involved in health promotion, disease surveillance and control, disaster management, health service provision, public health program management, and the evaluation of climate-sensitive diseases. While other institutions offer climate and health courses, these programs are primarily conducted in English and are mostly not tailored to regional challenges.

CONCLUSION: The strong turnout of participants underscores a significant interest in this educational format and highlights the need for broader engagement in climate and health education.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Larios D, Jayakrishnan T, Ioakeim Ioannidou M, et al (2025)

Impacts of climate change on cancer risk, clinical outcomes, and care delivery: A scoping review.

The journal of climate change and health, 25:100573.

BACKGROUND: While some interactions between climate change and health have been well documented, the complex relationship between climate change, its proximate causes, and cancer is less clear. This scoping review was conducted to survey specific elements within existing peer-reviewed and grey literature addressing the impacts of climate change-related exposures on 1) cancer risks, 2) outcomes, and 3) care delivery.

METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, peer-reviewed and selected grey literature on these topics were identified using pre-specified eligibility criteria. Structured searches by independent reviewers and data extraction from multiple electronic databases were performed, from which syntheses were generated and research gaps identified.

RESULTS: Of 542 studies identified by title/abstract for full-text review, 182 studies were eligible for data extraction. Of these, 127 examined fossil fuel-related pollutant levels and excess cancer risks, 29 investigated the impact of climate change on cancer outcomes, and 31 examined the impact of climate change-related events on cancer care delivery. Overall, the effects of climate change-related exposures, or climate change's proximate causes, lead to increases in cancer risk. Climate change effects such as extreme weather events disrupt care and impact survival outcomes. Across these subject areas, climate change-related events' exacerbation of existing healthcare disparities was an emergent theme.

CONCLUSIONS: Climate change has impacts across the cancer care continuum. Research gaps include limited data on the direct effect of climate change on cancer outcomes and care delivery, population health research, and mitigation efficacy. More work is needed in education, adaptation, and climate preparedness for cancer patients and healthcare systems.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Myeni SA, Coetzee C, L Kruger (2026)

Policy coherence for development as a potential framework for creating synergies between disaster risk reduction, climate change and food security: A theoretical review.

Jamba (Potchefstroom, South Africa), 18(1):1837.

UNLABELLED: This article examines the potential of policy coherence for development (PCD) as a framework for addressing the complex nexus between disaster risk reduction (DRR), climate change (CC) and food security (FS) in the context of Eswatini. While the interdependence of these domains has been recognised in theory and practice, policy responses in developing countries remain fragmented, resulting in duplication, inefficiency and weak implementation. Using an extensive literature review, the article conceptualises PCD and evaluates its capacity to provide horizontal and vertical policy integration, strengthen inter-ministerial and multi-stakeholder collaboration and align financial and operational mechanisms across governance systems. Five dimensions of policy coherence - conceptual, strategic, institutional, operational and financial - are employed to interrogate Eswatini's fragmented governance landscape, where more than a dozen policies and frameworks exist but fail to translate into coordinated outcomes in managing the DRR, CC and FS nexus. In Eswatini, where over 70% of the population relies on subsistence agriculture and recurrent drought exacerbates poverty and food insecurity, embedding PCD principles into policy-making structures could bridge the gap between ambitious developmental agendas and local implementation realities.

CONTRIBUTION: The study concludes that institutionalising PCD can enhance resilience by integrating DRR, CC and FS policies, fostering joint accountability among a wide array of societal role players and enabling more efficient resource allocation. By moving from conceptual recognition to practical implementation, PCD provides a pathway towards sustainable development and improved governance of the DRR, CC and FS nexus in Eswatini.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Shimels T, Shewamene Z, Habteyesus D, et al (2025)

The intersections of climate change, gender, migration, and sexual and reproductive health in Sub-Saharan Africa: A scoping review.

The journal of climate change and health, 26:100604.

BACKGROUND: Climate change drives socio-environmental shifts in Sub-Saharan Africa, disproportionately impacting marginalized groups. This scoping review aims to document the impacts of climate change, explore its effects on gender, migration, and sexual and reproductive health (SRH), while also mapping adaptation strategies.

METHODS: A systematic approach was employed to review peer-reviewed articles, gray literature, and relevant policy documents sourced from major academic databases and authoritative international organizations. The inclusion criteria focused on studies published between 2000 and 2025 that addressed climate change and its associated impacts in Sub-Saharan Africa and explored intersections with gender, migration, or SRH. Data were extracted using a standardized form and synthesized thematically to identify patterns, disparities, and interconnections in climate-related vulnerabilities across affected populations.

RESULTS: Findings from the 22 included studies revealed that climate change disproportionately affects women, girls, and adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa. These impacts are reflected in the deepening of existing gender inequalities, significant disruptions to SRH service availability and accessibility, and heightened vulnerability during migration and displacement events. Though limited in scale and depth of implementation, studies have also documented gender-responsive adaptation strategies, such as community-led resilience initiatives, local coping mechanisms, and targeted policy interventions, highlighting emerging models of localized adaptation and response.

CONCLUSION: Climate change presents a significant and multifaceted threat to adolescents, youth, and women, particularly in relation to SRH, gender inequality, and migration. Effectively addressing these challenges requires integrated, multidisciplinary approaches and inclusive policies that prioritize vulnerable populations.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Kim H, S Chae (2025)

Climate change health communication and its association with awareness and behaviors in South Korea.

The journal of climate change and health, 26:100583.

INTRODUCTION: In a climate crisis where climate change poses serious risks, there is still a lack of awareness of climate change and its health impacts, and the awareness does not translate into health adaptation behaviors. Communication for health adaptation to climate change is not just about conveying information or changing awareness, but requires a strategy that considers the factors that drive individual behavioral change. This study aimed to confirm whether communication experiences are associated with awareness and behaviors related to climate change and health.

METHODS: The online survey was conducted among a nationally representative sample of 2,000 adults aged 19-64. Climate change communication was measured in terms of information seeking experience and climate communication experience. Mean differences in climate change health awareness and behavior between subgroups were identified and regression analyses were conducted to determine associations.

RESULTS: The experiences of climate communication were associated with lower perceived likelihood of susceptibility to health risks. However, experiences of information seeking and climate communication had a positive association with pro-environmental and health adaptive behavior.

CONCLUSIONS: Current communication approaches have not been effective enough in combining information and communication experiences about climate change and health to build accurate awareness. Protecting and promoting health in the context of the climate crisis requires a public demand-driven approach and a systematic communication strategy that leads to the right awareness and action.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Houlden S, Dawson A, Charlson F, et al (2025)

Research on climate change and mental health in immigrants is urgently needed: A systematic scoping review.

The journal of climate change and health, 26:100605.

INTRODUCTION: Globally, climate change is an imminent threat to physical and mental health. Climate-related disasters are predicted to increase in frequency, impacting the stability of and access to social systems and public infrastructure, adversely affecting health and well-being. Immigrant populations may be particularly vulnerable to climate change-related mental health impacts. The bidirectional relationship between climate change and migration infers that climate change-related health threats will further influence increasing migration rates. However, there is limited research that explores mental health risk factors and adaptation and mitigation strategies associated with climate change for immigrants.

METHODS: A scoping review was conducted based on a systematic searching strategy. The study aimed to identify and synthesise existing evidence to better understand the impact of climate change on the mental health of immigrant populations, and provide recommendations for future research and practice.

RESULTS: Findings are limited by the quality and depth of existing literature on the topic, as only eight original publications were identified for inclusion in the scoping review, all of which were either qualitative by design or perspective pieces. There is a paucity of evidence on the mental health outcomes of immigrant populations, limiting the recommendations for improving climate-related disaster preparedness and response efforts for immigrants.

CONCLUSION: Future research and the development of data collection systems that capture health indicators of immigrants are needed to assess immigrant vulnerability to climate-related mental health outcomes.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Etzel RA, ER Parker (2025)

Introduction to the special issue: Examining the ethical considerations at the intersection of climate change and health.

The journal of climate change and health, 26:100613.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Innocenti M, Comerci C, Dockerty G, et al (2025)

From eco-anxiety to eco-paralysis: A case study on behavioral responses to climate change in healthcare professionals.

The journal of climate change and health, 26:100585.

INTRODUCTION: This case report explores the psychological effects of climate change on healthcare professionals through the experience of a dermatologist suffering from climate-related distress.

CASE REPORT: The participant developed severe eco-anxiety that evolved into eco-paralysis, impairing her emotional well-being and professional functioning. Her strong commitment to environmental causes contributed to emotional overload, ecological grief, and feelings of helplessness, exacerbated by limited social support and professional isolation.

DISCUSSION: A personalized therapeutic approach was developed, integrating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and nature-based interventions such as forest bathing. The therapeutic process was focused on grief processing, increasing self-efficacy, and reconnecting with nature, while psychoeducation supported the reframing of environmental concerns and addressed conflicts between personal values and social norms. These strategies reduced eco-paralysis and fostered renewed professional engagement and advocacy.

CONCLUSION: This case highlights how integrated, evidence-based psychological interventions can address eco-anxiety and its behavioral consequences in healthcare professionals. Enhancing self-efficacy and cultivating emotional resilience through nature and meaning-centered practices can transform climate-related distress into adaptive engagement. This model may inform future clinical practice and case studies; its effectiveness could be investigated in future research.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Sönmez ÖF, Başer A, Z Sofuoğlu (2025)

Climate Change Perceptions Scale for Health and Related Professionals and Students (CCPS-HARPS) - development, reliability and validity.

The journal of climate change and health, 26:100589.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to develop and validate a psychometric tool-the Climate Change Perceptions Scale for Health and Related Professionals and Students (CCPS-HARPS)-to assess the perceptions of health professionals and students regarding climate change and its impacts on health, and to evaluate its reliability and validity.

METHODS: A sequential exploratory mixed-method approach was utilized for the development and validation of CCPS-HARPS. The process included an extensive literature review, expert consultations, and iterative feedback. The initial scale, comprising 37 items, was reduced to 30 items after qualitative analysis. Content validity was assessed using the Lawshe technique, and the final version included 29 items. The scale was pilot-tested among health students at İzmir Democracy University. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were performed to evaluate construct validity, and internal consistency was determined using Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega coefficients.

RESULTS: The sample included 304 valid responses. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO) measure was 0.937, and Bartlett's Test of Sphericity confirmed the data's suitability for factor analysis. EFA revealed a three-factor structure (Awareness and Consciousness, Experiences and Effects, and Health and Climate Change) that explained 50.96 % of the total variance. CFA supported the three-factor model with excellent fit indices (RMSEA = 0.045, SRMR = 0.054, CFI = 0.995). Internal consistency was high, with Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega values exceeding 0.90 for the total scale.

CONCLUSION: The CCPS-HARPS is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing climate change perceptions among health professionals and students. It addresses the gap in tools tailored for healthcare-related fields and can inform educational strategies to enhance climate change preparedness. Further studies are recommended to explore its applicability across different cultural and educational settings.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Weber K, Bole A, J Balbus (2025)

Climate change and health: An assessment of state level adaptation plans.

The journal of climate change and health, 26:100593.

INTRODUCTION: While health impacts of climate change are increasingly evident, adaptation planning for climate health impacts in the United States (US) has lagged. In the absence of a national climate and health adaptation plan, varied approaches have been taken by states to address health in their adaptation planning. The authors reviewed state adaptation plans developed since 2008 to assess how health adaptation strategies were included and to document identified adaptation gaps and needs.

METHODS: Plans were identified through Georgetown Climate Center's State Adaptation Progress Tracker and a Google search. The authors developed a scoring rubric for consistency and evaluated plans based on such criteria as: Comprehensiveness, Inclusiveness, Monitoring and Evaluation. Adaptation priorities were noted and mapped to six categories.

RESULTS: 19 plans met inclusion criteria. Most plans (14) identified exposure pathways impacting health. About half of plans identified vulnerable populations, but only three addressed the vulnerability of health systems. Most plans (13 of 19) did not mention a vulnerability assessment or cite a data source discussing vulnerability indicators. Only two plans had clear metrics for success. Only three mentioned an implementation timeline.

CONCLUSION: This review highlights both positive aspects and gaps in state climate and health planning. Many state plans did discuss climate and health, exposure pathways, and vulnerable populations. States lack clear metrics for monitoring and evaluation or implementation. States may benefit from federal leadership through a national-level climate and health adaptation plan or the federal government's development of planning guidance for states, localities, tribes and territories.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Sasse SC, Schneider F, Conway N, et al (2025)

Specialist physicians' and management personnel's views on climate change mitigation and adaptation in German healthcare facilities: A nationwide survey on attitudes, implementation, and barriers.

The journal of climate change and health, 26:100602.

BACKGROUND: Climate change poses major challenges for health systems, making mitigation and adaptation measures in healthcare facilities urgent. However, little is known about how this is viewed at a healthcare facility leadership level in Germany.

METHODS: In September 2022, a nationwide survey was conducted among a representative subset of specialist physicians and healthcare facility management personnel in Germany. As decision-makers in healthcare, this group was surveyed to assess personal attitudes toward climate change and climate-related actions, and healthcare facility-based implementation of mitigation and adaptation measures, as well as possible barriers.

RESULTS: Most of the 514 respondents expressed confidence in their ability to contribute to climate change mitigation and a sense of responsibility to do so. Participants indicated that several structural barriers prevented them from taking necessary climate change mitigation and adaptation action at their facilities. A lack of specifically allocated staff, funding, and poorly defined implementation strategies were the most frequently mentioned constraints. Additionally, the respondents indicated a number of measures which their respective facilities had thus far failed to introduce, such as facility-based heat action plans, education programs, and the integration of sustainability into quality control.

CONCLUSION: Despite high awareness and willingness among healthcare decision-makers, climate change mitigation and adaptation measures are poorly implemented in German healthcare facilities. Limited strategies, expertise, staff, and funding may be key barriers. The results highlight the need for stronger governance, funding, and performance metrics to support climate action in German healthcare.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Niño M, Amick B, Williams M, et al (2025)

Extreme weather events, climate change attitudes, and preparedness on self-rated health and depressive symptoms.

The journal of climate change and health, 26:100582.

INTRODUCTION: This study examined the potential health consequences associated with exposure to extreme weather events, climate change attitudes, and extreme weather preparedness. Specifically, drawing from a statewide sample of adults residing in Arkansas, we investigate whether and how climate attitudes, exposure, and preparedness shape depressive symptoms and self-rated health.

METHODS: To examine relationships between climate change attitudes, exposure, and preparedness on self-rated health and depressive symptoms, we utilized a series of multivariable regression models. For self-rated health, we used logistic regression, while for depressive symptoms, we used Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression.

RESULTS: Results from our regression models demonstrate that when accounting for all three climate change-related mechanisms, exposure and preparedness play a significant role in both self-rated health and depressive symptoms. Specifically, when accounting for all three mechanisms, we find respondents who were exposed to more extreme weather events in the last five years and those who perceived themselves to be less prepared to deal with weather disasters and extreme weather events reported more depressive symptoms and worse self-rated health.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that exposure to extreme weather and perceived preparedness, rather than general attitudes toward climate change, may be key contributors to disparities in health.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Parker SY, Parchment KF, Walawender M, et al (2025)

Prioritizing evidence for action from the 2024 small island developing states report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change.

The journal of climate change and health, 24:100482.

INTRODUCTION: Small island developing states (SIDS) are vulnerable to the ill-health effects associated with unabated atmospheric warming driven by larger, more developed countries. Hence, the health-centered focus of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change has immense value for SIDS.

METHODS: Given resource constraints and data limitations across the SIDS region, the inaugural 2024 SIDS report of the Lancet Countdown required a method of singling out the most regionally relevant indicators from 47 Lancet Countdown global indicators. A two-stage semi-qualitative method was designed for this purpose.

RESULTS: The evaluation stage involved identifying two indicator sets from stakeholder consultation (n = 32) and a multi-criteria assessment (n = 11). Using both sets of indicators, only 11 met the criteria of being regionally representative and relevant, further confirming data limitations. To adjust for this challenge, 14 indicators were added to the final list based on relevance. Therefore, 25 Lancet Countdown indicators were selected for the 2024 SIDS report of the Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change. To further prioritize the wide range of evidence from these indicators, a qualitative multiplication matrix was used to define relationships between regional data coverage and differences from global benchmarks. Six indicators marked successes in adaptation, and 14 evidenced negative implications compared to global benchmarks.

CONCLUSION: The impact of heat on physical activity, food security, and economic development was of critical regional importance, as was the need for more research. The study identified critical areas where urgent climate action is needed, emphasizing the need for increased research and data collection in SIDS.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Dambha-Miller H, Nagdi U, Smith L, et al (2025)

Temperature extremes, climate change and multimorbidity: A rapid scoping review.

The journal of climate change and health, 24:100452.

INTRODUCTION: Exposure to extreme temperatures disproportionally impacts vulnerable populations, including those with multimorbidity (i.e., people living with two or more long-term health conditions). A greater frequency of temperature extremes such as heatwaves driven by climate change will likely increase adverse health outcomes in vulnerable populations. Therefore, it is important to understand the potential effects of temperature extremes on the health outcomes of multimorbidity populations to aid the planning of healthcare systems and preventive interventions. In this review, evidence was collated and summarised, describing the health outcomes of extreme temperatures amongst people with multimorbidity.

METHODS: A rapid scoping review with searches on temperature extremes and outcomes in multimorbidity populations was conducted using Medline, CINAHL, Scopus and Wiley Library. These searches were supplemented with manual citation and Google Scholar searches. There were 1,225 titles screened, with data extracted by two independent reviewers. Eight papers were included in the final analysis.

RESULTS: Relatively few studies were identified, indicating limited evidence on this topic. Existing evidence focused on the increased risk of mortality in the multimorbidity population from extreme heat. No studies were identified examining the impact of cold extremes on the health outcomes of those with multimorbidity.

CONCLUSION: There is a need for significant further research, including systematic review and/or empirical investigation, on a range of issues that can further understanding of the effects of temperature extremes on health outcomes of multimorbidity populations.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Davé H (2025)

Building resiliency and mitigating climate change - The case of the Unjani Clinic network.

The journal of climate change and health, 24:100454.

INTRODUCTION: This case study explores the innovative strategies employed by the Unjani Clinic in South Africa to address climate change within the primary healthcare system. By integrating renewable energy and water conservation practices, it highlights the dual role of healthcare providers in climate change mitigation and adaptation, especially in resource-limited settings.

CASE PRESENTATION: Operational data from annual reports and supplier quotes were analysed to evaluate Unjani Clinic's practices. Currently, 19 % of clinics operate with hybrid or off-grid solar energy systems, reducing utility costs by as much as ZAR 164,512 ($ 9139) and 23, 000 kg carbon emissions. Climate-related disruptions, including flooding and a tornado, significantly impacted clinic operations, underlining the importance of emergency preparedness and network support.

DISCUSSION: The Unjani model demonstrates the viability of sustainability efforts to enhance healthcare delivery and environmental resilience. Flexible implementation and leadership support were key enablers. This approach emphasizes the need for aligning investment and policy support to scale such initiatives.

CONCLUSION: The Unjani Clinics (https://www.unjaniclinic.co.za/) provide a replicable model of integrating climate resilience into primary healthcare. This study underscores the critical role of healthcare providers in advancing environmental sustainability and addressing health inequities in vulnerable communities.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Eboreime E, Anjorin O, Obi-Jeff C, et al (2025)

From drought to displacement: Assessing the impacts of climate change on conflict and forced migration in West Africa's Sahel Region.

The journal of climate change and health, 23:100448.

Across Africa's semiarid Sahel region, temperatures have risen faster than the global average, resulting in severe threats to water access, food security, and human health. Key climate factors such as desertification interact with ethnic and economic tensions, exacerbating violence between pastoral and farming groups competing over degraded productive land and water resources. Mounting climate pressures act as threat multipliers for both violent conflict and internal displacement across countries spanning Senegal to Sudan. This perspective examines intersections of climate change, violent clashes, and forced migration using incidents in Nigeria and Burkina Faso-where droughts, floods and agricultural losses continue to worsen. With 8 million internally displaced persons in the region now, urban areas face overburdened infrastructure while attempting to host influxes of traumatized, impoverished migrants facing further risks. This article argues that integrated policy action is urgently needed to mitigate climate change, enhance community resilience, and protect vulnerable groups to ease cascading humanitarian crises and achieve development goals amid spiraling environmental pressures across West Africa.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Emery EH, Wiskel T, Humphrey K, et al (2025)

Climate change, migration, and health: Development of a case-based workshop for immigrant and refugee health professionals.

The journal of climate change and health, 23:100447.

INTRODUCTION: Climate change is contributing to unprecedented levels of migration with complex impacts on the health of displaced populations. Immigrant and refugee health professionals are well positioned to understand the issues at the intersection of climate change, forced migration, and health, and to participate in the development of solutions to this crisis. However, little has been done to equip these professionals to join the dialogue around climate change.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We developed an interdisciplinary, case-based workshop to introduce refugee and immigrant health professionals at an international conference to the ways in which climate change is impacting the health of the communities they serve. We employed a community organizing approach to show participants how their existing skills, knowledge base, and networks can be used to identify and mitigate climate impacts.

RESULTS: The workshop was attended by approximately fifty participants. In a post workshop survey, sixty percent of participants agreed with the statement that the workshop would change their professional work, and there was a significant increase both in those who reported that they understood how climate change impacts immigrant communities and in how to use their relationships and resources to combat climate change.

DISCUSSION: The discussion themes illustrated the breadth of knowledge of participants, especially regarding the social determinants of health, the health inequities that shape climate vulnerability, and myriad problem-solving processes.

CONCLUSION: This workshop offers one model for how a brief educational intervention using case-based learning and the tenets of community organizing can be used to introduce a new community of providers to climate change work.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Mamoropo MS, Adelaide BM, MT Maria (2025)

Adapting to climate change: Strategies adopted by hypertensive patients - A qualitative study.

The journal of climate change and health, 23:100462.

INTRODUCTION: Climate change contributes to health issues such as elevated blood pressure due to the body's response to extreme temperatures. Hypertensive patients require support to adapt to these climate impacts, making it essential to develop mitigation strategies to cope with extreme climate change as well as promoting adaptation to these impacts.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A qualitative phenomenological design was used, involving 15 hypertensive patients selected through homogeneous purposive sampling at selected public hospitals. Data were gathered via semi-structured, one-on-one interviews and analysed using Tesch's method.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The following themes emerged from this study: (i) hypertensive patients' experiences of living with high blood pressure under changing weather conditions, (ii) their strategies to adapt to hypertensive conditions during extreme hot weather and suggestions to improve strategies to adapt to climate change. Findings highlighted a strong need for emotional and practical support to help manage their condition effectively.

CONCLUSIONS: Unpredictable climate changes complicate hypertensive patients' ability to adapt. The study recommends raising awareness, providing education on climate-health links, and building community capacity to support adaptation.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Rai P, Gauchan E, Pradhan R, et al (2025)

Survey of Nepali doctors on the perception of climate change and health effects.

The journal of climate change and health, 23:100449.

INTRODUCTION: Physicians are often the first to witness the health effects of climate change and this allows them a unique platform to advocate for patients' health. Developing countries are disproportionately impacted by climate change but less is known about the health effects related to climate change in these countries. This survey was done to summarize the observations of Nepali physicians on patients' health as affected by climate change, as well as to assess the need for educational opportunities in the medical community.

METHODS: An electronic survey on health effects related to climate change and climate change awareness was sent to Nepali physicians by email and social media.

RESULTS: Almost all Nepali physician respondents (99%, n = 177) reported climate change is happening, and 67% of respondents mentioned time and 53% of respondents noted knowledge as the main barriers for communicating about climate change with patients. Nepali physicians mentioned training (87%), continuing professional education (85%), health action alerts (84%), patient education materials (84%) and policy statements by professional associations (79%) would be helpful for climate change communication.

CONCLUSION: This survey presents a unique case study describing the health effects of climate change witnessed by physicians in Nepal. This survey highlights that Nepali physicians are keenly aware of the harmful effects of climate change on health, duly acknowledge gaps in education in this topic and report interest in future educational activities to enhance education and to improve their ability to communicate effectively regarding the health impacts of climate change with patients.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Mosby V, Moggridge BJ, Creamer S, et al (2025)

Voices of hard-to-reach island communities provide inclusive and culturally appropriate climate change responses: A case study from the Torres Strait Islands, Australia.

The journal of climate change and health, 23:100450.

INTRODUCTION: Many island-based Indigenous communities continue to occupy, manage and live off and from their ancestral lands. For some Indigenous Islander communities, climate change is already causing destruction to fragile ecosystems, affecting traditional food supply, and impacting on the health and livelihoods of communities.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The voices gathered through extended yarns of Torres Strait Islander Peoples was featured as a case study to describe the range of physical and psycho-social impacts from climatic changes to their Country, as well as their priority climate responses.

RESULTS & DISCUSSION: In describing climate change impacts and priority responses, Torres Strait Islander community members detailed five aspects of concern to them. These were to adequately monitor climatic changes and respond appropriately by drawing on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Knowledges, to consider the human rights inherent in being protected from climate change, and to develop locally led solutions that are implemented soon.

CONCLUSION: The impacts of climate change that are being seen and felt in Australia's Torres Strait Islands hold many similarities with small island nations in the Pacific whose islands are remote, climate-exposed, and their voices unheard on the political stage despite experiencing irreversible damage and gradual disappearance of their ancestral lands.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Siya A, Lukwa AT, Faith C, et al (2025)

Health workers' perspectives regarding climate change and health in Kween District, Mount Elgon, Uganda - A qualitative study.

The journal of climate change and health, 23:100463.

INTRODUCTION: In Uganda, climate change poses significant threats to human livelihoods by exacerbating existing health challenges and introducing new health threats. This study focused on the knowledge and perspectives of health workers regarding the intersection of health and climate change, with particular emphasis on malaria, a disease prevalent in the country and notably affected by climate variations, especially in fragile mountainous regions such as Mount Elgon.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in the Kween District of Mount Elgon, Uganda. We utilized qualitative approaches, recruiting health service providers from various altitudinal zones using snowball sampling techniques. Health facilities were selected through purposive sampling and 69 health service providers participated. Data collection involved semi-structured interviews that explored health workers' knowledge of climate change and its impacts on health, including malaria.

RESULTS: Health workers perceived an increase in disease occurrences attributed to climate change, affecting their work in terms of load and access to facilities during extreme weather conditions such as heavy rains and heatwaves. Malaria cases were perceived to have increased in the higher altitudes that previously experienced limited case numbers. Despite the difficulties in distinguishing between climate change and climate variability, health workers associated these health-related phenomena with long-term weather alterations.

CONCLUSIONS: Health workers perceive that climate change is affecting their work and delivery of health services. By leveraging the knowledge and experience of health workers regarding the relationship between health and climate change, there is an opportunity to enhance the resilience of the health system.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Nayir T, Uskun E, Ilter H, et al (2025)

Developing a climate change health literacy scale: A methodological study in Turkish adults.

The journal of climate change and health, 23:100451.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to develop a valid and reliable measurement tool assessing attitudes and behaviors of individuals aged 18 and above regarding the health impacts of climate change, supporting existing literature, field studies, and climate change mitigation efforts.

METHODS: In this methodological study, the "Climate Change Health Literacy Scale (CCHLS)" item pool was created, followed by content validity testing and validity and reliability analyses of the 31-item scale based on expert opinions. The scale was administered to 318 adults, revealing a four-factor structure with 24 items and explaining 67.03 % of the total variance through exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses.

RESULTS: Confirmatory factor analysis indicated acceptable goodness-of-fit values (χ²/sd=2.31, RMSEA=0.06, CFI=0.94, SRMR=0.04). The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.94 for the entire scale, and sub-dimensions ranged from 0.75 to 0.93, indicating high reliability. Differentiation assessment between groups with the highest and lowest 27 % scores confirmed the discriminative and valid nature of all scale items, with no observed floor or ceiling effects.

CONCLUSIONS: CCHLS, which was developed in Turkish and analyzed in Turkiye to assess adults' attitudes and behaviors towards climate change, is a valid and reliable tool, and its translation into other languages and dissemination will support individuals in society in assessing their knowledge and increasing their awareness about the effects of climate change on health.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Beckord J, Krakowczyk JB, Gebhardt N, et al (2025)

Corrigendum to "Development and validation of a climate change version of the man-made disaster-related distress scale (CC-MMDS)" [J Climate Change Health 20 (2024) 100356].

The journal of climate change and health, 23:100455 pii:S2667-2782(25)00038-0.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.joclim.2024.100356.].

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Hadfield K, Sulowska M, Rasolomalala N, et al (2025)

"There is no hope; only strong wind": How climate change impacts adolescent mental health in southern Madagascar.

The journal of climate change and health, 23:100438.

INTRODUCTION: Climate change threatens children's and adolescents' health worldwide, but there is limited evidence of its effects on mental health in the low- and middle-income countries which are most affected. We focus on southern Madagascar to elucidate pathways through which climate change impacts mental health.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this preliminary study, we collected survey (n = 83; 49 female) and focus group (n = 48; 28 female) data from 10 to 24-year-olds (M = 15.3).

RESULTS: Adolescents were extremely anxious and depressed, with high climate anxiety. Adolescents indicated that climate changes influenced mental health through loss of household resources, uncertainty about the future, and disruption of coping mechanisms.

DISCUSSION: Climate changes exacerbated the existential threats faced by the adolescents. In Madagascar, our results tentatively suggest that interventions and policies should address food and water security, promote adaptive farming practices, and build resources for coping.

CONCLUSION: Climate changes are having a profound impact on adolescent mental health in southern Madagascar. The mechanistic links through which these impacts occur may be different than in other, more frequently studied contexts. Research examining these pathways in more depth in Madagascar is urgently needed.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Masemola HC, Bakker L, Spies C, et al (2026)

Climate change and eye health: Awareness of health sciences students at a South African University.

Health SA = SA Gesondheid, 31:3115.

BACKGROUND: Climate change is an increasingly global issue with significant adverse impacts on public health. Its effects can lead to an increase in ocular health problems and diseases.

AIM: To determine the knowledge and perception among final-year students registered in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of the Free State Bloemfontein, on the impact of climate change on eye health.

SETTING: The study was conducted at the University of the Free State, Bloemfontein campus.

METHODS: A descriptive study was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire. Responses were collected during June 2024 and July 2024, and the results were analysed using descriptive statistics using SAS version 15.2.

RESULTS: A total of 107 final-year health science students participated in the study, with a response rate of 85.60%. The study found a high level of awareness about climate change, with 99.07% (n = 106) acknowledging its occurrence. However, 64.49% (n = 69) of the participants felt they were not well informed about climate change issues, while 35.51% (n = 38) felt adequately informed. In addition, 93.46% of participants believed that protecting their eyes outdoors can reduce the risk of climate change-related eye health issues.

CONCLUSION: The study highlights the varying levels of knowledge among future healthcare professionals, emphasising the need for enhanced educational initiatives to bridge gaps in understanding.

CONTRIBUTION: This study adds to the broader public health conversation by highlighting the connection between specific environmental changes and eye health. It calls for detailed approaches to reduce the negative impacts of climate change on eye health.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Ramadani L, Lumbi SL, Veselaj Z, et al (2025)

Pre-service teachers' insights on climate change and health in Kosovo: Exploring knowledge, attitudes, and practices.

The journal of climate change and health, 22:100434.

INTRODUCTION: As educators play a pivotal role in shaping the perspectives of future agents of change, it is crucial to assess their knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding climate change, currently considered one of the biggest health emergencies.

METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional survey with 137 students enrolled in teacher education programs at the Faculty of Education, University of Prishtina, Kosovo. Participants were approached via convenience sampling. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analyses.

RESULTS: Our findings revealed misconceptions regarding the causes of climate change, with 64% incorrectly attributing climate change to natural processes or equal combined natural and human causes. Likewise, over 94% of the respondents were not aware of the scientific consensus on anthropogenic climate change. However, 97% reported that they think climate change currently is affecting the health of individuals at least a moderate amount. Most respondents identified illness from reduced air quality (95.6%) as an exacerbated health outcome due to climate change, while mental health conditions were perceived as the least important in connection to climate change (47.4%). A multiple linear regression model with age, gender, education level, mother's education, father's education, place of residence, attitudes and practices explained 44% of climate-health knowledge.

CONCLUSION: The findings from this research could contribute to the development of targeted interventions and educational strategies aimed at enhancing pre-service teachers' knowledge of climate change and health-related challenges, thereby enabling them to effectively impart this knowledge to their future students.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Aldwekat AFM, Lorestani N, F Shabani (2025)

Impacts of climate change on the global spread and habitat suitability of Coxiella burnetii: Future projections and public health implications.

The journal of climate change and health, 22:100442.

INTRODUCTION: Coxiella burnetii, an intracellular zoonotic bacterium, affectsing various livestock and wildlife species and poses significant risks to human health. This study aims to assess how climate change could impact the global distribution and habitat suitability of Coxiella burnetii, the pathogen responsible for Q fever.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: An ensemble species distribution modelling approach, integrating regression-based and machine-learning algorithms (GLM, GBM, RF, MaxEnt), was used to project habitat suitability (Current time and by 2050, 2070, and 2090). Climate variables were obtained from five global circulation models (GCMs) under two climate change scenarios (SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5). The study evaluated the models' performance using the area under the curve (AUC) and true skill statistics (TSS).

RESULTS: Results show that under current climate conditions, C. burnetii is widespread across regions like North and South America, Europe, and parts of Africa, Asia, and Australia. Future projections indicate a northward shift in habitat suitability, especially under the severe SSP5-8.5 scenario, with significant expansions into Russia, northern Europe, and Canada. Conversely, regions in South America, Africa, and Australia may see declines in suitable habitats. By 2090, a 44.56 % (range: 33-57.9 %) across the models, increase in suitable habitat is predicted, accompanied by a 27.66 % (range: 22.4-31.7 %) loss of current habitats.

DISCUSSION: Findings indicate that temperature seasonality and precipitation of the driest month are the most influential climatic variables shaping the distribution of C. burnetii. These results underscore the importance of climate variability in influencing the pathogen's global distribution and highlight the critical role of environmental factors in predicting future habitat shifts.

CONCLUSION: The study highlights the profound impact climate change could have on the global distribution of C. burnetii. It underscores the need for proactive public health strategies in emerging high-risk areas and emphasizes the importance of mitigating risks in regions experiencing habitat declines. These findings offer valuable insights for public health planning and livestock management under future climate scenarios. In interpreting these results, it is important to consider modelling uncertainties, including assumptions and data limitations.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Marty C, Amghar S, Barrera Patlan A, et al (2025)

The psychosocial impacts of slow onset climate change events among youth in LMICs: A rapid evidence review.

The journal of climate change and health, 22:100416.

INTRODUCTION: Recent research has sought to understand the complex experiences of climate change distress, which are highly prevalent among youth and in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). However, most studies have focused on acute climate disasters and clinically diagnosable psychological responses, leaving a gap in understanding about how gradual climate change events impact broader psychosocial health.

METHODS: This review examined how slow-onset events relate to psychosocial distress among youth in climate-vulnerable LMICs using the PRISMA Rapid Review methodology. Four databases were searched, namely Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and Cochrane.

RESULTS: The initial search yielded 853 results, of which 14 articles met the inclusion criteria for data extraction and analysis, which employed a framework synthesis approach. Studies identified direct impacts of slow onset events (e.g., changing precipitation patterns), as well as indirect impacts on communities (e.g., housing instability) and resources (e.g., loss of livestock). These disruptions are often compounded by pre-existing vulnerabilities such as public debt and inadequate basic services. Faced by these challenges, youth employed many coping strategies such as religion and meaning-focused coping, to help minimize psychosocial distress. Psychosocial responses varied from feelings of worry and numbness to severe outcomes like suicidal ideation.

CONCLUSION: This review reveals the diversified experiences of climate change, which are closely tied to social and community contexts. A robust research agenda on the psychosocial effects of slow-onset environmental changes is vital to better understand and mitigate its long-term mental health impact on youth.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Perez JS, Hudson H, Araneta J, et al (2025)

Colliding crises: The global diabetes pandemic meets climate change-A scoping review.

The journal of climate change and health, 22:100433.

INTRODUCTION: Climate change poses myriad threats to human health, including deleterious impacts on chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus. A scoping review was conducted to clarify the current state of knowledge regarding climate change impacts on the incidence, progression, complications, and management of diabetes.

METHODS: Literature was searched across PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science combining terms related to "climate change" and "diabetes". In addition, the Journal of Climate Change and Health was hand searched. Primary-source, peer-reviewed human studies were included in the analysis. Animal studies, plant-based research, studies focused upon pollution, and review articles were excluded.

RESULTS: Seventy-three articles met the inclusion criteria. Articles predominantly focused upon heat-related health effects, noting linkage to deteriorating glycemic control, increased mortality, and more frequent emergency room visitations. While studies examined mortality linked to heat, cold, and natural disasters, a notable proportion failed to specify precise causes of death. Significant data gaps were identified regarding climate impacts on diabetes-related complications and non-glycemic metabolic outcomes as well as impacts on pediatric, gestational, and type 1 diabetes. Few studies focused upon low and middle-income countries where climate impacts are predicted to be greatest.

CONCLUSION: Various manifestations of climate change are linked to multiple adverse outcomes among those with diabetes. However, current data is sparse regarding climate impacts on vulnerable populations, diabetes-related complications, and geographic regions most vulnerable to climate change that are also experiencing the greatest rise in diabetes rates. Mitigating the impact of climate change on those with diabetes requires closing these data gaps.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Lusambili AM, Muchanga KL, Vusolo LM, et al (2025)

Towards youth-inclusive strategies for research on climate change and health in sub-saharan Africa.

The journal of climate change and health, 22:100418.

Globally, young people are effecting significant changes in the field of climate change through various means, such as advocacy, education and awareness campaigns, litigation, innovative solutions, and volunteering. These youth-led initiatives are essential, considering that they will face the long-term health effects of climate change. The need to address disparities in climate and health-related research, policy, and program responses in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has never been greater, considering the increasingly pronounced effects of climate change on human health. Within the African continent, where research, policies and programs are predominantly shaped by older people, the inclusion of youth is vital to contribute effectively to the discourse on climate change. In this short communication, we reflect on the limited representation of young people as researchers within the African academy studying the links between climate change and health. We provide a rationale emphasizing the urgent need to build a robust community of researchers that encompasses youth. Our argument advocates for gender-responsive investments in training young researchers in climate change and health to deepen their understanding and address the disproportionate impacts on vulnerable populations. We propose strategies to enhance their meaningful involvement in research and knowledge production in these fields.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Dhillon S, B Dhillon (2025)

Commentary on: Wong YL, Wong SW, Ting DSJ, Muralidhar A, Sen S, Schaff O, et al. Impacts of climate change on ocular health: A scoping review. J Clim Chang Heal. 2024 Jan 1;15:100296. doi: 10.1016/j.joclim.2023.100296.

The journal of climate change and health, 22:100441.

RevDate: 2026-02-06

Kilic S, SD Yilmaz (2026)

The relationship between women's climate change anxiety and their attitudes towards protecting reproductive health.

Psychology, health & medicine [Epub ahead of print].

This study aimed to examine the effect of climate change anxiety on women's reproductive health protective attitudes and to identify the factors associated with both constructs. This descriptive and relational study was conducted with 789 women aged 18-49 years who were admitted to a public hospital in the Central Anatolia region between July 2023 and March 2024. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, the Climate Change Worry Scale (CCWS), and the Married Women's Reproductive Health Protective Attitudes Scale (RHPAS). Descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA, and multiple linear regression analyses were used to analyze the data. The mean age of the participants was 32.65 ± 7.83 years. The mean RHPAS and CCWS scores were 141.64 ± 21.58 and 29.77 ± 10.49, respectively. Regression analysis showed that educational level, family type, employment status, smoking, use of family planning methods, following climate change related news, and climate change anxiety were significant predictors of reproductive health protective attitudes. In addition, perceived income level, following climate change related news, and reproductive health protective attitudes were identified as significant predictors of climate change anxiety. Furthermore, climate change anxiety and reproductive health protective attitudes were found to be significant predictors of each other. The findings suggest that climate change anxiety significantly predicts women's attitudes towards protecting their reproductive health and that these attitudes significantly predict climate change anxiety. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the effect of climate change anxiety on women's reproductive health protective attitudes, thereby providing novel evidence and contributing to the existing literature.

RevDate: 2026-02-05
CmpDate: 2026-02-05

Xiao Y, Yang J, Wu P, et al (2026)

Spatial distribution changes of cold-water Zoarces fish biodiversity and inter-species ecological competition replacement under climate change scenarios.

Environmental monitoring and assessment, 198(2):207.

Global climate change is expected to significantly reshape marine species distributions, particularly among taxa traditionally classified as cold-water specialists. This study investigates the genus Zoarces, comprising six species, to elucidate the environmental drivers of their current distributions and predict future habitat shifts under multiple Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) scenarios. Utilizing species distribution models and ecological niche overlap analyses, we identify key abiotic factors influencing Zoarces distributions, assess center-of-mass migration trajectories, and quantify interspecific niche dynamics in response to warming oceans. Our results reveal that Z. andriashevi exhibits a broad suitable habitat exceeding 5.49 million km[2], with high-suitability zones constituting 21.5% of this area. Under the RCP8.5 scenario, its habitat is projected to expand by approximately 1.7 million km[2] by 2100, reflecting strong environmental tolerance and adaptability to rising temperatures. Z. americanus maintains a wide but spatially concentrated distribution across temperate regions of the eastern USA, western Europe, and the Yellow and Bohai Seas. In contrast, Z. fedorovi and Z. gillii display restricted range characteristics, with Z. gillii-the earliest diverged lineage-primarily inhabiting the relatively warmer Yellow and Bohai Sea regions, where its suitable habitat is contracting under climate warming. Crucially, ecological niche analyses reveal that Zoarces species exhibit complex patterns of niche divergence and convergence under future climate scenarios. Notably, niche separations are predicted between Z. americanus and both Z. viviparus and Z. elongatus, while significant niche integration is projected between Z. americanus and Z. fedorovi, suggesting intensified interspecific competition. Collectively, these findings challenge the prevailing assumption that Zoarces are strictly cold-water origin species. Instead, their distributional and phylogenetic evidence supports a warm-temperate origin with subsequent adaptations to colder environments. This study provides a rigorous theoretical framework for understanding Zoarces' evolutionary ecology under climate change and informs biodiversity conservation and sustainable management strategies within this genus.

RevDate: 2026-02-05

Saeidinia M, Haghiabi AH, Nazeri Tahroudi M, et al (2026)

High-resolution forecasting of soil thermal regimes using different deep learning frameworks under climate change.

Scientific reports pii:10.1038/s41598-026-38496-6 [Epub ahead of print].

RevDate: 2026-02-05

Howard G, Beevers L, Charles K, et al (2026)

The Vulnerability and Resilience of Drinking Water Systems to Extreme Weather Events and Future Climate Change.

Current environmental health reports, 13(1):5.

RevDate: 2026-02-05
CmpDate: 2026-02-05

Ganji F, Sampedro J, Liu L, et al (2026)

Disparities in ambient air pollution exposure among the U.S. population amid climate change.

iScience, 29(2):114603.

Air pollution and climate change remain critical environmental challenges. Using integrated modeling (global change analysis model [GCAM] and TM5-FASST), we assess future U.S. ambient air pollution (PM2.5 and O3) and exposure disparities under climate mitigation scenarios. Nationally, annual mean O3 declines from 58.3 ppbv in 2010 to 47.3-54.1 ppbv by 2050, and PM2.5 decreases from 6.5 μgm to -3 to 4.6-5.7 μgm[-3] depending on scenario. Regional differences persist, with elevated O3 along the West Coast, Northeast, and Great Lakes, and PM2.5 hotspots above 12 μgm[-3] in the eastern U.S. Sensitivity analysis shows socioeconomic pathways drive >90% of early-term pollutant reduction variance, but their contribution declines to about 70% by mid-century. Disparities narrow between white and Black communities but widen between white and Asian groups, reflecting urban exposure patterns. These results highlight the importance of both emission targets and structural socioeconomic choices in shaping future air quality and underscore the need for targeted equity-focused interventions.

RevDate: 2026-02-05
CmpDate: 2026-02-05

Liu Y, Zhao Q, Dai Y, et al (2025)

Predicting the current and future distribution of Helianthus tuberosus L. in China using the MaxEnt model under climate change scenarios.

Frontiers in plant science, 16:1683371.

INTRODUCTION: Predicting the biogeographic shifts of Helianthus tuberosus L. (H. tuberosus) under climate change is critical for its conservation and sustainable cultivation.

METHODS: We utilized occurrence records (n=295) and environmental variables to model current and future distributions across China via a hyperparameter-tuned MaxEnt framework under four Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP126-SSP585, 2050s-2090s).

RESULTS: The model identified land cover (28.7%), vegetation index NDVI (23.7%), and minimum winter temperature (Bio6, 14.7%) as dominant drivers, collectively explaining 92.3% of distribution constraints. Currently, highly suitable habitats (6.03% of China's area) cluster in Yunnan, Guizhou, and central Jiangxi. Future projections indicate a 20.4% expansion of these habitats in northwest China due to winter warming, while southeastern coastal regions contract by 9.1% under extreme precipitation. The geographic centroid shifts 197- 238 km northwestward.

DISCUSSION: This shift highlights northwest China as a key climate refuge for H. tuberosus. These results prioritize conservation efforts and support strategic cultivation in climate-resilient zones.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Nayna Schwerdtle P, Devine C, Berner-Rodoreda A, et al (2025)

Adapting to climate change: strategies and perspectives from humanitarian health workers - A qualitative study.

The journal of climate change and health, 23:100373.

INTRODUCTION: Climate change is contributing to humanitarian health crises. However, research on the intersection of climate change and health in humanitarian settings often prioritises understanding impacts over identifying solutions. This study adopts a solutions-oriented approach, engaging humanitarians working in medical projects to explore both existing and potential adaptation strategies to mitigate the adverse health effects of climate change.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study involved 49 semi-structured qualitative interviews with humanitarian health workers from Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) across 30 countries. Conducted in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Arabic, the interviews focused on identifying adaptation solutions to address climate-related health impacts at individual, community, and organizational levels. Data were analysed using a hybrid coding approach, combining deductive and inductive techniques informed by framework analysis.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The research highlights a perception of high vulnerability and low readiness to address climate change in the studied countries, exposing an adaptation gap-the disparity between adaptation needs and current efforts. Initially, participants found it challenging to identify adaptation strategies, often focussing on mitigation (emission reduction) rather than adaptation. From the adaptation activities identified, we developed an 'Adaptation Continuum' framework, which ranges from maladaptation to resilience-building. Additionally, we created a matrix of climate change adaptation (CCA) examples to illustrate how health risks can be addressed in contexts characterised by high vulnerability and low adaptive capacity.

CONCLUSION: Health and humanitarian actors are witnessing the profound impacts of climate change on communities and projects worldwide. Despite ongoing efforts to adapt, there remains a lack of consensus on how to effectively operationalize these initiatives. This research introduces the 'Adaptation Continuum', a conceptual framework designed to guide the planning, implementation, and evaluation of adaptation activities in four key domains: knowledge and awareness, infrastructure and technological solutions, operational adaptation, and policy and advocacy.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Asrar FM, HJ Chapman (2025)

Innovative use of space-based technologies to address climate change and related global health crises.

The journal of climate change and health, 21:100406.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Zarandi SM, Yarahmadi R, Nasiri R, et al (2025)

Impact of climate change on adipose-derived stem cells: A molecular and histological study.

The journal of climate change and health, 22:100367.

BACKGROUND: Climate change, particularly temperature and humidity fluctuations, can affect biological systems. This study specifically investigates the impact of these two key aspects of climate change on adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) as a pilot study and starting point for further examinations into the biological effects of climate change-associated conditions.

METHODS: One-month-old male rats were kept for 4 months (equal to a 10-year climatic period) in 4 groups and exposed to conditions based on climatic data from Tehran's synoptic stations. Rats in the control group were exposed to conditions based on climatic data from 1991, and groups 2-4 were exposed to conditions based on climatic data from 1991 to 2000, 2001-2010, and 2011-2020, respectively. Monthly temperature, humidity, and day/night cycle averages were selected for animal exposure. After exposure, fat-derived stem cells were taken from each subject and assays assessing reactive oxygen species (ROS), cell viability and proliferation, and apoptosis were performed.

RESULTS: From 1991 to 2020, Tehran experienced an average temperature increase of 1.5 °C and a 15 % decrease in average humidity, conditions which when replicated in rodent models were associated with increased rates of ROS and caspase-3 expression, a reduction in Ki-67 antigen expression and in the duration of the life of cells, and an increase in the rate of apoptosis, such that apoptosis in ADSCs reached 25.51 %.

CONCLUSION: The study demonstrates that environmental conditions similar to those from climate change are associated with significant changes in ADSCs and emphasizes the need for further research to understand their impact on health.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Lau SS, Appiah K, Ho CC, et al (2025)

Measuring Chinese negative emotion towards climate change: Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of Climate Change Anxiety Scale.

The journal of climate change and health, 21:100364.

INTRODUCTION: In response to growing concerns over negative emotions towards climate change worldwide, it is essential that a validated and reliable scale is available for the generalizability of the constructs being measured, and it is not just applicable to Western context, but also the East.

METHOD: The present study aims to conduct a psychometric investigation of the 13-item Climate Change Anxiety Scale (CCAS) of Clayton and Karazsia in Traditional Chinese using a large sample (N = 1,567) of Chinese individuals in Hong Kong, China. The CCAS was translated, back-translated, cross-culturally adapted and pilot-tested. We performed descriptive, scale reliability, exploratory factor and confirmatory factor analyses.

RESULTS: Unlike the two-factor structure of the original scale, our results revealed a three-factor structure of the 13-item CCAS version that captured three dimensions of climate change anxiety: intrusive symptoms, reflections on climate anxiety, and functional impairment. The scale showed good goodness-of-fit indices, internal consistency and reliability. The Chinese CCAS version demonstrated high levels of reliability estimates and significant, albeit weak, correlations with the relevant constructs of well-being, anxiety and depression, environmental orientation, self-efficacy and belief denial.

CONCLUSION: Overall, the Chinese CCAS version has good reliability and validity, and it can be used as a valid assessment tool for climate change anxiety screening with Chinese individuals, thus providing a foundation for better understanding various climate change-related emotions through an anxiety lens in the Chinese context.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Newman M, Kokame KA, Leochico CFD, et al (2025)

Climate change and health through the lens of physical medicine and rehabilitation: A scoping review.

The journal of climate change and health, 22:100362.

INTRODUCTION: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) physicians (physiatrists) care for patients with a variety of neurologic, musculoskeletal, chronic pain, and sports-related conditions. These conditions can cause physical disabilities, cognitive, sensory, or other functional impairments, which make these patients susceptible to the impacts of climate change. The purpose of this scoping review is to describe the existing literature at the intersection of climate change and PM&R practice, and to identify publication trends.

METHODS: The search used electronic databases PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to identify studies related to PM&R and climate change search terms published or in press between January 2008 to July 2023. Articles were reviewed for relevance to PM&R and climate change and were categorized into three groups: (1) Health effects of climate change, (2) PM&R interventions that address health impacts of climate change, and (3) Other relevant points of interest.

RESULTS: A total of 38 articles met the inclusion criteria. Twenty-one articles discussed the health effects of climate change on patients encountered in PM&R practice, with most describing the negative health impacts of air pollution and increased heat. There were 13 articles regarding PM&R interventions that address health impacts of climate change, largely related to disaster preparedness or management, but also including methods for addressing heat illness, telemedicine, and a waste audit. There were four articles about other points of interest, including PM&R providers' perceptions of climate change. Of all the included articles, there was one randomized controlled trial and the rest were observational in design. The number of studies published in the past 15 years has generally trended upwards, with the majority coming from North America.

DISCUSSION: Climate change threatens to negatively affect the health and wellbeing of patients requiring PM&R service, and most physiatrists are concerned about this. While the number of studies has increased over the past 15 years, substantial research gaps remain in the nexus between PM&R and climate change, and several regions around the world are poorly represented in the literature. Further studies are needed to help patients with disabilities adapt to and mitigate the climate crisis.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Shepherd S, Raynal P, M Guedj (2024)

Psychometric properties of the French version of the climate change worry scale.

The journal of climate change and health, 20:100361.

INTRODUCTION: As concern over climate change keeps growing, there is a need for reliable tools to assess the psychological impact of this global issue across different languages. This study presents the first French adaptation of the Climate Change Worry Scale (CCWS) and evaluates its psychometric properties. The CCWS, originally developed in English, is a 10-item self-report measure assessing personal worry about climate change.

METHODS: A total of 442 participants (82.1% female, mean age = 32.45, SD = 12.50) completed the CCWS along with the Climate Change Anxiety Scale (CCAS), the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ), and the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS).

RESULTS: The CCWS showed robust internal consistency, with Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's omega values of 0.91. Convergent validity was supported by a strong correlation between the CCWS and CCAS (r = 0.79). Divergent validity was shown by weaker correlations with general worry assessed with PSWQ (r = 0.31) and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress measured with DASS (r = 0.24-0.30). An exploratory factor analysis supported a one-factor solution for the CCWS, explaining 51% of the variance. Factor loadings of the ten items ranged from 0.61 to 0.82. A subsequent confirmatory factor analysis confirmed an adequate fit for a reduced six-item version of the scale.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that the French version of the CCWS is a reliable and valid tool for measuring climate change worry. Its strong psychometric properties make it suitable for use in French-speaking populations, enabling future cross-cultural research on climate-related psychological impacts.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Cloos P, Belloiseau M, McPherson N, et al (2025)

Erratum to discussing linkages between climate change, human mobility and health in the Caribbean: The case of Dominica. A qualitative study.

The journal of climate change and health, 21:100358 pii:S2667-2782(24)00061-0.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.joclim.2023.100237.].

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Beckord J, Krakowczyk JB, Gebhardt N, et al (2024)

Development and validation of a climate change version of the man-made disaster-related distress scale (CC-MMDS).

The journal of climate change and health, 20:100356.

INTRODUCTION: Climate change, considered as a pressing man-made disaster, poses a fundamental threat to global health, with significant psychological consequences. However, measurement instruments assessing these consequences of climate change remain limited. This study aimed to address this gap by developing and validating an adapted version of the Man-Made Disaster-Related Distress Scale (MMDS), specifically designed for the assessment of indirect climate change-related psychological consequences.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The items of the MMDS were adapted to climate change. The resulting "Climate Change - Man-Made Disaster-Related Distress Scale" (CC-MMDS), comprising 16 items, was validated in an online-based survey in Germany. Initially, 1070 participants were engaged in the survey.

RESULTS: The data of n = 715 participants was used for analysis. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed a two-factor structure, encompassing "psychological distress" and "change of existing belief systems", with acceptable to good model fit. The CC-MMDS demonstrated excellent reliability and good validity, with measurement invariance across gender, age, and educational level.

DISCUSSION: This study validated the CC-MMDS, confirming a two-factor structure. The scale demonstrated strong measurement properties, making it a promising standardized instrument for assessing climate change-related distress.

CONCLUSION: With its strong psychometric properties and efficient administration, the CC-MMDS offers valuable insights for research and can aid mental health providers in identifying and supporting individuals impacted by climate change.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Innocenti M, Santarelli G, Comerci C, et al (2024)

Development and validation of the climate change-related reproductive concerns scale (CCRCS).

The journal of climate change and health, 20:100351.

INTRODUCTION: As global concerns about climate change intensify, emerging research reveals a link between climate change anxiety and individuals' decisions regarding parenthood. More people are choosing not to have children due to worries about their carbon footprint or the future implications of climate change on their offspring. This trend emphasizes the critical necessity for a nuanced comprehension of how environmental concerns intertwine with reproductive intentions. To address this imperative, our study develops the Climate Change-related Reproductive Concerns Scale (CCRCS) and evaluates its psychometric properties.

METHODS: CCRCS was developed and validated in a sample of 206 Italian adults aged 19 to 51. Ten items were created to evaluate climate change-related reproductive attitudes: 5 anti-reproductive items and 5 pro-reproductive, with their responses reversed for consistency in interpretation.

RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis revealed a single-factor structure, explaining 63.82 % of the variance, with the scale demonstrating good internal consistency (α = 0.85). The factor structure was replicated, and the scale's validity was examined through correlations with measures of eco-paralysis and climate change anxiety, with significant correlations supporting construct validity. Furthermore, the relationship between climate change-related reproductive concerns and adaptation responses was explored, assessing the impact of framing on CCRCS scores.

CONCLUSION: The CCRCS provides a reliable and valid measure of these concerns, highlighting the psychological impact of climate change anxiety on reproductive decision-making and emphasizing the need for nuanced understanding in this area.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Agache I, Akdis C, Akdis M, et al (2024)

Climate change and allergic diseases: A scoping review.

The journal of climate change and health, 20:100350.

INTRODUCTION: Increased greenhouse gas emissions since the industrial age have led to higher global temperatures and frequency and severity of climate events, such as heat waves, wildfires, floods, and storms. These changes are adversely affecting human health and increasing disease risk, including risk of allergic diseases. Further understanding of the environmental factors and the cellular and molecular mechanisms mediating these increases can assist in developing strategies to adapt to and mitigate climate change.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a scoping review of the literature from 2010 through 2024 using PubMed and Scopus.

RESULTS: Thunderstorms, dust storms, wildfires, and other climate change factors increase allergies both directly and indirectly through increases in particulate matter, pollen, migration of disease vectors and decreases in biodiversity. The epithelial barrier, hygiene, "old friends," and biodiversity hypotheses have been put forward to explain the underlying mechanism mediating these increases.

CONCLUSION: There is an urgent need to reduce the use of fossil fuels to mitigate climate change and protect planetary and human health. While international accords such as the 2015 Paris Agreement have been signed with the aim of lowering greenhouse gases and limiting future global temperature increases, it is clear that increased efforts are needed to meet these goals. Evidence-based solutions for adapting to the increased prevalence of allergic diseases and cost-benefit analysis of current mitigation strategies for lowering allergic diseases are also needed.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Tong M, Okokon E, S Vardoulakis (2024)

Health risks of climate change in Australia: An umbrella review.

The journal of climate change and health, 20:100347.

INTRODUCTION: The impact of climate change on population health has been extensively studied in Australia, but no comprehensive review of the impact of climate change on health in Australia has been performed. This review summarizes the most up-to-date, high-level evidence exploring the health risks of climate change in Australia, identifies evidence gaps in the scientific literature, and lays the groundwork for an in-depth national climate change and health risk assessment in Australia.

METHODS: Electronic database PubMed was searched for systematic reviews of the impact of climate change on health outcomes in Australia. Narrative synthesis was conducted to summarize findings.

RESULTS: The most frequently reported climate change related risks in Australia were heat and bushfires, followed by floods and droughts, with a limited number of studies on cyclones and rising sea levels. The impacts on health included all-cause mortality and morbidity, heat-related illnesses, vector-, food- and water-borne diseases, negative mental health effects, cardiovascular, respiratory, and renal diseases, injuries and adverse birth outcomes. These impacts were unevenly distributed across Australia's geographical regions and population groups, particularly affecting young children, people with health conditions or disabilities, the elderly, and pregnant women. There were notable gaps concerning First Nations, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, ethnic minorities, and refugees in the context of climate change and health in Australia.

CONCLUSIONS: Further research is needed to deepen our understanding of the associations between climate change and health outcomes in Australia, especially among disadvantaged communities and sensitive population groups. Future risk assessments using standardized methodologies to estimate exposure-response functions for specific health outcomes are warranted. At-risk populations need to be adequately supported by a national adaptation plan that will reduce their vulnerability to climate extremes and prevent adverse health impacts of climate change in Australia.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Bezgrebelna M, Aliyev E, Amoah YSA, et al (2024)

Climate change, poverty, and health: A scoping review of the Canadian context.

The journal of climate change and health, 20:100348.

INTRODUCTION: The understanding of the role of climate change in worsening health outcomes and social disparities is growing, highlighting poverty as a key factor amplifying exposure to environmental hazards and as a result of such exposure. However, there has been insufficient focus on the unique risks encountered in Canada, highlighting the necessity for targeted understanding to inform and evaluate effective responses. The question guiding the present scoping review is: In the Canadian context, what are the impacts and implications of climate change and weather extremes on the physical and mental health of those experiencing poverty, as evidenced in the peer-reviewed academic literature?

METHODS: A systematic search was conducted within the following four databases: Scopus, PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar, using key terms related to poverty, climate change, and health and well-being in the Canadian context. Primary research and review articles published in English were included (n = 28).

RESULTS: The articles included 23 reports of primary research and five reviews, spanning 2000 to 2022. Six theme areas emerged at the climate change, poverty, and health intersection in Canada: heat, air pollution, food security, pollen, wildfire evacuation, and health systems.

DISCUSSION: Addressing poverty reduction is identified as a critical lever for reducing environmental risks and enhancing resilience, although challenges remain in implementing evidence-based interventions due to significant gaps in knowledge. Future research should consider exploring outcomes disaggregated by sociodemographic factors, interconnections between heat and air pollution, and interventions targeting vulnerable groups.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Breakey S, Hovey D, Sipe M, et al (2024)

Health effects at the intersection of climate change and structural racism in the United States: A scoping review.

The journal of climate change and health, 20:100339.

INTRODUCTION: Climate change and structural racism are significant threats to public health and health equity. The impacts of each individual problem on human health and well-being have been documented; what is less known is the impact of the intersection of climate change and structural racism on health.

PURPOSE: To conduct a scoping review to examine the emerging knowledge related to the impact of climate change and structural racism on the health and well-being of racialized minority groups in the United States.

METHODS: A scoping review was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PubMed, CINAHL, and PsychInfo databases. Two searches were conducted between 11/2021 and 7/2023. Data were extracted and analyzed; and themes were identified.

RESULTS: Of 148 full-text reviews, 28 were included in the final synthesis. Texas was the US state most represented in research studies. Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino populations were the most discussed and studied populations. The overarching theme identified was the enduring legacy of historical redlining on inequitable climate and environmental exposures. Four subthemes included environmental justice impacts, climate justice impacts, ecopandemic injustice, and the emergence of syndemics.

CONCLUSION: Climate justice, environmental justice and structural racism have individual impacts on health; however, they are inextricably linked and have wide-ranging impacts on health and well-being. Implications for education, clinical practice, policy and advocacy, and research are outlined. Health providers have an opportunity to partner with disinvested communities to develop realistic strategies to create more resilient, vibrant communities that will lead to improved health outcomes.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Katsumoto TR, Stolyar L, Dandeniya CL, et al (2024)

Impact of climate change on rheumatic diseases: A scoping review.

The journal of climate change and health, 19:100338.

INTRODUCTION: Although the impacts of climate change on human health conditions are reasonably well documented, specific influences on rheumatic diseases remain incompletely characterized. The goal of this scoping review was to better understand how climate change is impacting rheumatic diseases, either directly or indirectly, as well as how climate change affects the geographical distribution of infectious diseases with arthritogenic manifestations, which will impact rheumatic disease care.

METHODS: A scoping review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR).

RESULTS: 149 papers were identified regarding the impact of climate change related exposures on patients with rheumatic diseases. The most common climate-related exposure was air pollution, with other factors including excess heat or cold, precipitation, exposure to ultraviolet light, and malnutrition. The vast majority of studies identified associations of climate related factors with increased disease activity or incidence. 105 studies were identified that addressed the influence of climate change on the observed or projected changes in the geographical range of diseases with arthritogenic manifestations spread by arthropods or environmental vectors. The majority of studies focused on dengue, Lyme disease and chikungunya and found an increase in the geographical range with climate change. A grey literature search of rheumatology organization websites suggests that the field of rheumatology remains inadequately prepared for climate change impacts.

CONCLUSIONS: The existing literature was summarized and gaps were highlighted that are deserving of further exploration such that rheumatologists can be better prepared to care for their patients, educate them on potential health harms, and advocate for policies to proactively address the climate crisis.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Tsakonas K, Badyal S, Takaro T, et al (2024)

Rapid review of the impacts of climate change on the health system workforce and implications for action.

The journal of climate change and health, 19:100337.

INTRODUCTION: The cascading impacts of climate change have significant implications for public health and healthcare delivery globally. This review explores how climate change impacts the health system workforce (both public health and healthcare service delivery), and what adaptation strategies are being deployed to mitigate against extreme climate events.

METHODS: The review draws from English language peer-reviewed articles published between 2003 and 2023, that forefront experiences and adaptations to climate change events as they relate to the health system workforce. Out of 1662 articles, upon completing title and abstract review, two reviewers completed full-text review of 130 articles, removing 92 for not meeting inclusion criteria, resulting in 38 articles. Articles were analyzed in relation to the World Health Organization Climate Resilient Health Systems Framework.

RESULTS: Emergent themes highlight occupational health impacts such as physical hazards, burn out and psychosocial impacts. Adaptive strategies to address these impacts include bolstering transformative leadership praxis, psychosocial support provision, emergency preparedness and planning, and scaling up climate-related emergency preparedness through the development of climate change core competencies and multi-sectoral collaboration strategies.

CONCLUSIONS: Our review illustrates the limitations and opportunities of current adaptive strategies being utilized to support the healthcare workforce around the world, highlights the need for immediate emissions reductions that will reduce future hazards, and provides recommendations for how these findings can be applied to better prepare the health workforce for a range of climate futures.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Teshome M (2024)

The human health burden of climate change: Non-economic losses and ethical considerations towards achieving planetary health.

The journal of climate change and health, 19:100336.

Climate change presents an urgent and growing threat to the health and well-being of people and the planet. More frequent and intense heatwaves, droughts and floods are breaching critical ecosystem boundaries, causing cascading impacts that are increasingly complex to govern. Unsustainable development pathways and economic choices that are fueling the climate crisis are also directly engendering global health issues. Furthermore, the global response to climate change has been uneven and the lack of a conceptual framework for loss and damage has allowed developed countries the latitude to adopt differing takes on its framing, undermining the urgency and progression of the loss and damage mechanism to the detriment of developing countries. Current research on the governance of climate ethics posits that while economic and legal considerations largely influence climate policies, decision-making processes in climate adjacent sectors such as health need to be further grounded on ethically sound principles. Framing the health impacts of climate change as a moral issue can therefore be viewed as an effort to reshape the current political discourse with a humanistic lens and move the international community and state-level actors to action. The framing of this issue is particularly important as it recenters the focus on human health as an imperative for effective climate policies rather than as a contributor to the cache of peripheral co-benefits. It also underscores climate change as an ethical issue, in which failure to respond to the climate impacts can worsen health inequities, especially for socially and economically marginalized communities and vulnerable groups.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Ponte N, Alves F, DG Vidal (2024)

Exploring Portuguese physicians' perceptions of climate change impacts on health: A qualitative study.

The journal of climate change and health, 20:100333.

INTRODUCTION: Health professionals, as primary responders to climate change health impacts, must be well-informed to effectively communicate adaptation risks and benefits to influence both patients and organizations. This study was undertaken in order to survey how physicians in Portugal understand, explain, and experience the impacts of climate change on health in their clinical practice. Understanding physicians' knowledge level on this subject also can help determine whether training is needed, and through what educational mechanisms.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using a semi-structured interview script, this study applied a qualitative methodology with interviews of 13 physicians from various medical specialties in Portugal, aged 28 to 73.

RESULTS: All participants recognized that human action is the main contributor to climate change, indicating that fossil fuels and overproduction are the main factors responsible for greenhouse gas emissions. They also agreed that climate change affects human health. However, they reported that they find connecting diseases to climate change challenging in their clinical practice, and expressed the need for training on the effects of climate change on health.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that physicians recognized the importance of understanding and communicating the connection between climate change and health in their daily practice, and that failure to recognize these impacts may affect appropriate diagnosis and preparedness for extreme climate events. These results highlight the urgency of addressing the health impacts of climate change and underscore the role of education and awareness.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Uddin T, Tasnim A, Islam MR, et al (2024)

Health impacts of climate-change related natural disasters on persons with disabilities in developing countries: A literature review.

The journal of climate change and health, 19:100332.

BACKGROUND: Climate change is identified as the foremost health threat in the present era, resulting in a broad range of negative health impacts on individuals, families, and communities. Marginalized populations in developing countries are particularly affected. This literature review explored the health impacts of climate change-related natural disasters on persons with pre-existing physical and mental disabilities in developing countries.

METHODS: The Joanna Briggs Institute [JBI] evidence synthesis guideline was applied and results were reported following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses [PRISMA] guidelines. PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Embase databases were searched using terms related to 'persons with disabilities' (PWD), 'climate change', and "developing countries" and types of natural disasters considered to result from climate change. Selected articles were reviewed and thematic analysis was performed.

FINDINGS: Fourteen articles were included of which five generalized across multiple countries and nine profiled specific developing countries including Bangladesh, China, Haiti, India, Nepal, Philippines, South Africa, Tuvalu, and Uganda. Five key themes were identified: [i] impact on PWD physical health, [ii] impact on PWD mental health, [iii] resilience and coping strategies of PWD in disasters, [iv] PWD involvement in inclusive disaster planning, and [v] climate-change related natural disasters on PWD in developing countries as a human rights issue.

INTERPRETATION: This review underscores the lack of literature related to negative health impacts of climate change-related natural disasters on persons with pre-existing physical and mental disabilities in developing countries. Additional research is required to better understand these impacts as well as contributing social and economic factors and facilitative coping and resilience strategies in climate-related natural disasters. Addressing these gaps can inform development of effective, disability-inclusive disaster management practices which contribute to more equitable climate-change related health and rights-based outcomes for PWD in developing countries.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Sbiroli E, Geynisman-Tan J, Sood N, et al (2024)

Corrigendum to "Climate change and women's health in the United States: Impacts and opportunities" [J Clim Change Health 8C (2022) 100169].

The journal of climate change and health, 20:100331 pii:S2667-2782(24)00034-8.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.joclim.2022.100169.].

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Cerceo E, Cohen K, Hunter K, et al (2024)

Serving Up Climate Education: An innovative resident curriculum addressing climate change through plant-based solutions.

The journal of climate change and health, 20:100330.

BACKGROUND: Future physicians will increasingly face the consequences of the climate crisis. Few medical training programs educate sufficiently on nutrition and even fewer have robust climate health education. Plant-based diets address climate change mitigation as well as individual health.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to understand whether a brief educational session would improve knowledge and attitudes of climate health and plant-based diets.

METHODS: A cohort study was conducted from June to September 2023 with PGY1 internal and family medicine interns at three sites who participated in a faculty-led session on climate health and plant-based diets. The authors designed a pre- and post-survey assessing knowledge and attitudes on climate health and plant-based diets.

RESULTS: Among the 37 intern participants, 76% and 73% reported they received <2 hours of education on climate change and air pollution in medical school, respectively. 43% of interns reported 2-6 hours of education on heat-related illness but only 13.5% reported >25 hours of nutrition education as recommended by the National Academy of Sciences. After the presentation, interns demonstrated significant improvement in knowledge and attitudes regarding the health impacts of air pollution and the environmental effects of meat consumption. They recognized the health impacts on their patients (p<0.001) and felt more comfortable counseling on climate change (p<0.001) and plant-based diets (p<0.007). 19 interns (51%) provided free text responses, expressing considerations of environmental and dietary factors on clinical disease.

CONCLUSION: Basic knowledge of and attitudes toward climate health and plant-based diets were successfully improved among first-year residents at the end of a one-hour educational session.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Butler CD (2024)

Bioethics, climate change, and civilization.

The journal of climate change and health, 18:100329.

Anthropogenic climate change, with co-factors, threatens civilization, and thus human health. I first show that climate change is an important element of a system of hazards called "Limits to Growth". I then argue that the interaction of climate change and other Limits to Growth elements risks civilization "failure" and possibly its "collapse". Either consequence, were one to occur, entails profound risks to global population health, yet appreciation of this is still largely outside the health literature. I then discuss these relationships (including with civilization's destiny) with bioethical schools. The oldest of these (also called medical ethics) is strongly related to health and medicine, but in a later (1970) formulation the prefix "bio" is broader than human biology, though this school also has roots in human health. Van Rensselaer Potter, widely recognized as the founder of this school, subtitled it "the science of survival". This subtitle seems to acknowledge an at least implicit risk to civilization. I also briefly discuss environmental ethics. By calling for greater discussion of the risk of civilization failure (or its collapse) this paper makes an important and original contribution to bioethics, however conceptualized. The major scholarly contribution of this paper is its call for the human health literature to refresh its consideration of Limits to Growth, to reconsider aspects that have become marginalized in the health literature, and for health workers to deepen their engagement with related literatures, especially of human ecology. We must contemplate the unthinkable if we are to help avert it.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Yerabandi N, Chang JH, Woo KP, et al (2025)

Should anesthesiologists worry about climate change exposure in patients? A scoping review.

The journal of climate change and health, 22:100328.

INTRODUCTION: The healthcare industry, especially anesthesia, is a significant contributor of greenhouse gas emissions; however, we do not know whether climate change affects anesthesia outcomes. Our objective was to assess the current understanding of the effects of climate change on anesthesia outcomes.

METHODS: We performed a comprehensive search of all literature on pediatric and adult anesthesia outcomes as a result of climate change and related extreme weather events.

RESULTS: Our search yielded 4,702 articles, out of which one met our inclusion criteria. The relevant study in our final analysis focused on adverse pediatric anesthesia outcomes after wildfire smoke exposure and found that patients with a history of reactive airway disease were at a higher risk of an adverse anesthesia outcome when exposed to unhealthy air.

CONCLUSIONS: The current research on the impact of climate change on anesthesia outcomes is extremely scarce. Climate change has many effects on various organ systems, and, especially in conjunction with comorbidities, may affect anesthesia outcomes. Further research is needed to better understand perioperative complications related to climate change that can affect the health of patients requiring anesthesia.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Srihari G, Ishaan S, Beth S, et al (2024)

Climate change, modern slavery, and its impact on health - A youth perspective and global call to action.

The journal of climate change and health, 20:100327.

Short Communications - Emerging Issues include timely discussions of topics that may be too preliminary to have a relevant body of literature. They require an unstructured abstract with sections including Introduction, topic sections and Conclusion.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Harris D, Chekuri B, Schroll A, et al (2024)

The impact of climate change on hospice and palliative medicine: A scoping and narrative review.

The journal of climate change and health, 18:100323.

INTRODUCTION: Climate change's severe impact on human health is becoming increasingly evident, particularly for vulnerable populations with serious illnesses. Climate-related extreme weather events are expected to increase demand for hospice and palliative care due to rising respiratory illnesses, heat-related issues, waterborne diseases, and aggravated chronic conditions. Our scoping review aimed to investigate the existing literature on climate change's impact on hospice and palliative medicine (HPM).

METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive literature search across various databases (e.g., Medline, EMbase, Web of Science, and Cochrane) using predefined climate change and HPM terms, resulting in 382 records. Following predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 44 articles were selected for full-text review, and 20 were included for final analysis. In light of the limited literature on climate change's impact on HPM, we also sought narratives from HPM practitioners from across the world on their experiences in a changing climate.

RESULTS: Six major themes emerged: 1) The impact of climate change on HPM in low-income countries; 2) Descriptive pieces on climate change, climate disasters, and HPM; 3) Morbidity and mortality after climate disasters in the seriously ill population; 4) Discussion of euthanasia during climate disasters; 5) Recommendations and frameworks for disaster response in the field of HPM; 6) Carbon footprint of hospices. Additionally, narratives from HPM practitioners highlighted the disruptive effects of climate disasters on seriously ill patients and their caregivers as disasters caused care interruptions, reduced access to crucial health infrastructure, exacerbations of illness, accelerated disease progression, and increased morbidity and mortality.

CONCLUSION: Existing research on climate change's impact on HPM is primarily anecdotal and descriptive, with a focus on climate-related disasters. Narratives from HPM practitioners worldwide underscore the disproportionate impact of climate disasters on seriously ill patients. Further research is necessary to comprehensively understand climate's intricate effects on HPM and to assess adaptable, mitigative, and resilient solutions against its adverse impacts.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Patterson DW, Hesselman M, F Tahzib (2024)

As governments fail us on climate change, courts are forced to consider ethical questions.

The journal of climate change and health, 17:100321.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Gorris ME, Bartlow AW, Pitts T, et al (2024)

Projections of Aedes and Culex mosquitoes across North and South America in response to climate change.

The journal of climate change and health, 17:100317.

INTRODUCTION: Climate and land use change may cause the geographical range of mosquitoes to expand, shift, or contract, ultimately changing what communities are at risk for contracting mosquito-borne diseases. Across North and South America, mosquitoes from the Aedes and Culex genera are vectors for numerous diseases, including chikungunya, dengue, various equine encephalitis viruses, Saint Louis encephalitis virus, West Nile virus, yellow fever virus, and Zika virus. The goal of our study was to project the geographical distributions of important mosquito vectors across North and South America in response to climate change, which is important to inform public health planning.

METHODS: We used an ecological niche model and future projections of climate and land use to project the geographical ranges of two Aedes species (Ae. aegypti, Ae. albopictus) and seven Culex species (Cx. erraticus, Cx. nigripalpus, Cx. pipiens, Cx. quinquefasciatus, Cx. restuans, Cx. salinarius, Cx. tarsalis) over North and South America in response to both a high (Shared Socioeconomic Pathway [SSP] 5, Representative Concentration Pathway [RCP] 8.5) and moderate (SSP2 RCP4.5) climate warming scenario through years 2050 and 2090.

RESULTS: For SSP5 RCP8.5, six species (Ae. aegypti, Ae. albopictus, Cx. erraticus, Cx. nigripalpus, Cx. quinquefasciatus, Cx. restuans) are projected to expand in geographical range, two species (Cx. pipiens, Cx. tarsalis) are projected to shift in geographical range, and one species (Cx. salinarius) is projected to nearly remain the same. Five species (Ae. aegypti, Ae. albopictus, Cx. erraticus, Cx. nigripalpus, Cx. quinquefasciatus) show the largest increase in high habitat suitability (>0.5 on a 0-1 scale) for SSP5 RCP8.5, three species (Cx. pipiens, Cx. restuans, Cx. tarsalis) show the largest increase for SSP2 RCP4.5, and one species (Cx. salinarius) shows a relatively small decrease in response to both scenarios.

CONCLUSIONS: We found that all nine species responded resiliently to climate change under both the high and moderate climate warming scenario, suggesting mosquito-borne disease is likely to be a continued threat in response to climate change. The projected geographical ranges can be used to inform disease risk analyses and mitigation strategies in response to climate change.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Mann S, McKay T, G Gonzales (2024)

Climate change-related disasters & the health of LGBTQ+ populations.

The journal of climate change and health, 18:100304.

Climate change may widen pre-existing health disparities in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) populations. We argue that LGBTQ+ communities will have more exposure to climate change related disasters, be more susceptible to the adverse impacts of climate change and will have fewer resources to recover from climate disasters. Scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and climatologists need to carefully consider the potential for disparate effects of climate change disasters on the health of LGBTQ+ people. Legislative action protecting LGBTQ+ populations from discrimination, more LGBTQ+ inclusive data collection efforts, and LGBTQ+ sensitivity trainings for disaster relief providers are needed now to ameliorate climate change-related LGBTQ+ health disparities.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Schuster RC, Wachter K, Hussain F, et al (2024)

Gendered effects of climate change and health inequities among forcibly displaced populations: Displaced Rohingya women foster resilience through technology.

The journal of climate change and health, 18:100303.

Climate change interacts with social and biological factors to exacerbate the vulnerabilities and health inequities of people in displacement, with particularly severe implications for women and girls. In 2022, over 100 million people -1 in every 78 people in the world - were forced to flee their homes to a location within or beyond their country's borders, due to climatic or other man-made catastrophes. Most displaced people are housed in communities already experiencing climatic stress, exacerbating the risk of water insecurity, food insecurity, disease, struggles over resources, marginalization, and conflict between host and displaced populations. Amid the social upheaval caused by displacement, we call for a gendered approach to fostering resilience, with a particular emphasis on women. In this perspective piece, we advocate for policy and program changes that respond to the unique challenges and circumstances of displaced women and locally derived solutions that promote resilience. We start by providing an overview of health inequities during displacement, exacerbated by climate change, and then examine how gender interacts with displacement to shape women's health and wellbeing. We close with an illustrative example of Rohingya women displaced in Bangladesh who have adapted technology to combat climate change and mitigate social and health inequities to build resilience, even under severe restrictions. Gender-informed research on health, climate change, and resilience in contexts of humanitarian disasters and mass population displacement can elucidate the effectiveness of culturally- and contextually- specific interventions over the short- and long-term.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Hyland C, Flores D, Augusto G, et al (2024)

"No matter how hot it is, you just have to do the work": Examining farmworkers' experiences with heat and climate change in Idaho.

The journal of climate change and health, 16:100300.

INTRODUCTION: Farmworkers are one of the populations most vulnerable to climate change. In addition to disproportionate exposure to climate-intensified hazards such as extreme heat and wildfire smoke, many farmworkers face situational and psychosocial stressors that also impact their health.

METHODS: We conducted open-ended interviews with 16 farmworkers in Southcentral Idaho during June-August 2023 as part of a digital storytelling project in partnership with the Idaho Organization of Resource Councils (IORC). Interviews assessed participants' experiences with climate change, perceived impacts on their health, and strategies and barriers to protecting themselves. Bilingual (English/Spanish) study staff translated and transcribed all video recordings verbatim, and we abstracted representative quotes from interviews.

RESULTS: Participants primarily discussed the health impacts of heat, recounting personal experiences and stories of other farmworkers feeling dizzy, wanting to vomit, or passing out from occupational heat stress. Despite these experiences, they reported feeling like they needed to keep working regardless of the conditions in order to get paid and support their family. Experiences with climate change were underscored by participants' discussions of co-exposure to situational and psychosocial stressors such as lack of access to healthcare, poor housing without air conditioning, and racism, discrimination, and fear of family separation.

DISCUSSION: This project highlights farmworkers' first-hand experiences regarding climate change and underscores the interconnected impacts of occupational, environmental, and psychosocial stressors on their health and wellbeing. These findings emphasize the importance of shifting the burden of climate resiliency from individual farmworkers to systemic workplace, residential, and community interventions.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Wong YL, Wong SW, Ting DSJ, et al (2024)

Impacts of climate change on ocular health: A scoping review.

The journal of climate change and health, 15:100296.

Climate change represents a significant global health crisis, characterized by a complex interplay of environmental shifts and interconnected phenomena. These alterations have given rise to a multitude of health implications, notably impacting ocular health. Our comprehensive review delineates a spectrum of eye conditions associated with climate change-related variables. Extremes in temperature and weather events have been observed to affect the ocular surface, resulting in an increased incidence of conjunctivitis, keratitis, dry eye disease, and pterygium. Furthermore, climate change is linked to a rising occurrence of cataracts, glaucoma, periocular tumors, and infections. Prolonged food insecurity, stemming from droughts, has been associated with nutritional optic neuropathies and consequent vision loss. Elevated temperatures have also been correlated with a heightened risk of retinal detachments necessitating urgent surgical intervention to enhance prognostic outcomes. This review also outlines the influence of climate-warming pollutants on a diverse array of eye conditions, manifesting as ocular surface infections, degenerative changes like pterygium, cataracts, refractive errors (myopia), blepharitis, meibomian gland infections, glaucoma, and vascular retinal occlusions. Mitigating the effects of climate change is an urgent global imperative necessitating collaborative efforts, encompassing research and education, to devise sustainable solutions that safeguard human health and well-being. This review seeks to delineate the current extent of available research, identify gaps in the existing literature, and chart the course for future studies in this intriguing association.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Matlack M, Covert H, Shankar A, et al (2024)

A scoping review of current climate change and vector-borne disease literacy and implications for public health interventions.

The journal of climate change and health, 15:100295.

Climate literacy assesses general understanding of climate, climate change, and its effects on the environment as well as human health. Despite vast scientific evidence to support climate change and its associated consequences, particularly with regards to vector-borne diseases, climate change knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors among the general population is relatively poor. In this study, we conducted a thorough review of the current literature to evaluate the scope of global climate and health literacy studies and identify key areas for improvement. We found that very few climate and health literacy studies were based in low- and middle-income countries, and those that were did not make mention of significant regional climate change impacts and specifically those that increase mosquito-borne disease transmission in high-risk areas. We also noted that of the twenty-three studies included in our final review, most focused their assessments on general climate and climate change knowledge, and not on literacy of the relationships between climate change and environmental impacts or subsequent health outcomes. Our findings make it clear that moving forward, there is a major need for climate and health literacy research to expand upon existing climate literature to include additional assessments of the relationships between certain climate change impacts and infectious diseases in particular, as well as to make available a more comprehensive overview of climate and health information to the public in the future.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Akore Yeboah E, Adegboye ARA, R Kneafsey (2024)

Nurses' perceptions, attitudes, and perspectives in relation to climate change and sustainable healthcare practices: A systematic review.

The journal of climate change and health, 16:100290.

BACKGROUND: Climate change threatens human existence and is caused by increasing carbon emissions. Healthcare systems generate about 5% of global net CO2 emissions, further contributing to the crisis. Green healthcare practices could be implemented and nurses, as the largest workforce group, could potentially drive these practices. This review explored nurses' awareness, perceptions, attitudes and perspectives towards sustainable nursing and healthcare practices concerning climate change.

METHODS: The Joanna Briggs Institute [JBI] methodology for conducting mixed methods systematic reviews was applied and results were reported following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses [PRISMA] guidelines. CINAHL, PsycINFO, SCOPUS, and PUBMED databases were searched. JBI and Mixed Method Appraisal Tool [MMAT] critical appraisal tools were used for the data appraisal. Data synthesis and integration followed the JBI convergent integrated approach and thematic analysis was performed. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/8H3TC.

FINDINGS: Eighteen papers were included that represented nine different countries across five continents. One study was found in Africa, no studies in South America, and three in Asia. Five key themes were identified: i) knowledge and awareness of climate change, ii) link between nursing and climate change, iii) environmental sustainability, iv) barriers to environmentally responsible healthcare, and v) routes to environmentally sustainable nursing practices.

INTERPRETATION: The review indicates the need to raise awareness regarding climate change and sustainable practices among nurses. It is vital policy makers, and healthcare leaders ensure criteria relating to environmental sustainability and carbon reduction are included in decisions about procurement and service delivery. Nurses' engagement could drive forward a net-zero agenda.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Doan J, A Dhawan (2024)

Neurology and climate change: What we know and where we are going.

The journal of climate change and health, 16:100284.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Bharani T, Achey R, Jamal H, et al (2024)

Impact of climate change on surgery: A scoping review to define existing knowledge and identify gaps.

The journal of climate change and health, 15:100285.

With climate change accelerated at a worrisome rate, global warming also will have implications for surgery and surgical practice. The goal of this current study was to systematically survey the literature and better understand how climate change has affected surgical disease burden, surgical care delivery, and surgical outcomes. We performed a comprehensive scoping review, screening 3334 unique citations from three databases - 1766 from Embase, 1329 from Pubmed and 239 from Scopus - to identify studies that had associated climate change with surgery. After systematic searching, quality appraisal, and data extraction, we synthesized findings from qualitative and quantitative studies. Twenty-six studies that met the inclusion criteria were included in the review. The studies associating climate change with surgery spanned all surgical subspecialties, although most notable examples came from urology, trauma surgery, and burns and reconstructive surgery. Although there is increasingly strong evidence for how climate change might affect surgery, there is a paucity of research attempting to establish a more direct correlation or causal link between the two. Additionally, we identified several studies that did not directly address climate change but instead focused on chronobiology and its effects on surgery, highlighting directions for future research. The existing evidence, despite its limitations, generates hypotheses for future work, implicating climate change as an independent contributor towards increased surgical disease burden, decreased surgical care delivery, and worsened surgical outcomes.

RevDate: 2026-02-06
CmpDate: 2026-02-06

Chaudhry D (2024)

Climate change and health of the urban poor: The role of environmental justice.

The journal of climate change and health, 15:100277.

Direct effects of climate change on health, such as a rise in the incidence of heat strokes due to summer heatwaves, and indirect health effects such as under-nutrition due to a rise in food prices because of climate change, are mediated through the social and environmental determinants of health (SEDH), which include but are not limited to potable water, clean air, adequate sanitation, safe shelter, and adequate food. Based on a narrative review, this paper identifies possible mechanisms through which human health is impacted by climate change. Evidence has shown that climate change-induced effects such as high temperatures and heat waves, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), vector-borne diseases and undernutrition lead to undesirable health outcomes for the urban poor through unfavorable SEDH. Given that health of the urban poor is anticipated to be disproportionately affected by the risks of changing climate, this paper emphasizes the need for focusing on the environmental justice approach to safeguard the health of the urban poor in developing countries. It also argues for strengthening participatory and transparent urban governance to upgrade informal settlements and address factors that enhance health vulnerabilities of the urban poor. It contributes to the limited literature on environmental justice in the context of developing countries and provides a rationale behind mainstreaming the environmental justice approach for reducing the climate change-induced health risks for the urban poor.

RevDate: 2026-02-05

Anonymous (2026)

Correction to "Soil Protist Diversity and Biotic Interactions Shape Ecosystem Functions Under Climate Change".

Global change biology, 32(2):e70744.

RevDate: 2026-02-05

Bertollini R (2025)

[Vaccines and climate change: towards a healthy relationship between science and politics].

Epidemiologia e prevenzione, 49(5-6):350-351.

RevDate: 2026-02-05
CmpDate: 2026-02-05

Gao J, Zhao Q, Ndayisenga F, et al (2026)

Nutrient content of grass influences microbial communities in the phyllosphere more than climate change.

Applied microbiology and biotechnology, 110(1):57.

Phyllosphere microbes survive in an open and complex environment. Previous studies have characterized seasonal changes in host nutrient content as key factors affecting the balance of colonized phyllosphere microbial communities (PMCs). Meanwhile, climate factors (such as temperature and precipitation) could also influence plant growth and the composition of PMCs. However, the interacting effects of climate factors and seasonal variations in nutritional components on PMCs remain poorly understood. By comparing the partial correlation of climate factors and nutrient contents of grass with PMCs, we found that changes in the crude fiber (CF) content of grasses were negatively correlated with the archaeal community diversity. Conversely, the crude protein (CP) content in grasses was negatively correlated with both the richness and diversity of the fungal community (Pearson's test, p < 0.05). The redundancy analysis (RDA) and multiple regression on (dis)similarity matrices (MRM) further confirmed that the content of CF was the primary factor influencing the distribution of the archaeal community, and CF content also significantly affected the distribution of the fungal community (Spearman's test, p < 0.05). The Mantel test and regression analysis revealed a positive correlation between changes in CF and NDF content and the nearest taxon index (NTI). These findings suggest that changes in nutrient component content have a stronger effect on archaeal and fungal communities than on bacterial communities within PMCs, reflecting a more stable state of bacterial communities. This study demonstrated that the grass nutrient content plays a crucial role in dynamically shaping phyllosphere microbial communities. KEY POINTS: • The changes in grass nutrient content significantly affected the structures and assembly of phyllosphere microbial community (PMCs) compared to the impact of climate change on PMCs. • The contents of CF and CP were significantly correlated with the alpha diversity and community composition of archaea and fungi. • Deterministic processes with heterogeneous selection governed the archaeal community.

RevDate: 2026-02-05

Gradl E, Shimono Y, Listl DM, et al (2026)

Genetic monitoring of an endangered arable weed reveals local maintenance of genetic variation in times of land use and climate change.

Scientific reports, 16(1):4991.

RevDate: 2026-02-04

Zhang K, Wang Q, Fu B, et al (2026)

Toward an AI Foundation Model Integrating Climate Change, Air Pollution, Socioeconomics, and Human Health.

Environmental science & technology [Epub ahead of print].

RevDate: 2026-02-04

Schlosser K, Gallagher M, J Friedly (2026)

Integrating climate change education into physiatry: A critical need to protect persons with disability.

PM & R : the journal of injury, function, and rehabilitation [Epub ahead of print].

RevDate: 2026-02-04
CmpDate: 2026-02-04

Pagotto D, Burwell C, Turlington K, et al (2026)

Ephemeropteran and Trichopteran Assemblages Vary Across a Subtropical Rainforest Altitudinal Gradient: Useful Indicators for Climate Change.

Ecology and evolution, 16(2):e73003.

The subtropical rainforests of eastern Australia are expected to be greatly affected by climate change, with several studies predicting an upward shift in elevational distribution for many groups of fauna and flora. Freshwater streams have so far been neglected by most studies involving elevation, climate change and subtropical rainforest. This study is the first to explore changes in macroinvertebrates across an elevational gradient within subtropical streams to determine the effect of elevation. The study focussed on Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera (ET) and identified indicator taxa with the potential to be used for future monitoring of climate change. Stream macroinvertebrates, specifically of the Orders Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera, and environmental data was collected from pools, riffles and runs at 13 sites across three subtropical streams that spanned an elevation gradient from 300 m to 1100 m a.s.l. Water temperature, substrate composition, stream width and riparian canopy cover were the most notable environmental changes observed across the gradient. Trichopteran taxa richness was negatively correlated with elevation; however, ephemeropteran taxa richness did not respond to elevation. Water temperature, canopy cover, stream width and substrate composition explained the highest variation in ET assemblages across the gradient, with ET assemblages separating into distinct 'low' (300 m-500 m a.s.l.) and 'high' (700-900 m a.s.l.) assemblages; the 1100 m elevational zone was distinct, with an observed sharp decline in species richness. Elevation, along with reach scale environmental factors, are influential in structuring ET assemblages in subtropical rainforest streams, with specific ET taxa having the potential to be useful indicators of climate change in these systems.

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ESP Quick Facts

ESP Origins

In the early 1990's, Robert Robbins was a faculty member at Johns Hopkins, where he directed the informatics core of GDB — the human gene-mapping database of the international human genome project. To share papers with colleagues around the world, he set up a small paper-sharing section on his personal web page. This small project evolved into The Electronic Scholarly Publishing Project.

ESP Support

In 1995, Robbins became the VP/IT of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA. Soon after arriving in Seattle, Robbins secured funding, through the ELSI component of the US Human Genome Project, to create the original ESP.ORG web site, with the formal goal of providing free, world-wide access to the literature of classical genetics.

ESP Rationale

Although the methods of molecular biology can seem almost magical to the uninitiated, the original techniques of classical genetics are readily appreciated by one and all: cross individuals that differ in some inherited trait, collect all of the progeny, score their attributes, and propose mechanisms to explain the patterns of inheritance observed.

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In reading the early works of classical genetics, one is drawn, almost inexorably, into ever more complex models, until molecular explanations begin to seem both necessary and natural. At that point, the tools for understanding genome research are at hand. Assisting readers reach this point was the original goal of The Electronic Scholarly Publishing Project.

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Usage of the site grew rapidly and has remained high. Faculty began to use the site for their assigned readings. Other on-line publishers, ranging from The New York Times to Nature referenced ESP materials in their own publications. Nobel laureates (e.g., Joshua Lederberg) regularly used the site and even wrote to suggest changes and improvements.

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When the site began, no journals were making their early content available in digital format. As a result, ESP was obliged to digitize classic literature before it could be made available. For many important papers — such as Mendel's original paper or the first genetic map — ESP had to produce entirely new typeset versions of the works, if they were to be available in a high-quality format.

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Early support from the DOE component of the Human Genome Project was critically important for getting the ESP project on a firm foundation. Since that funding ended (nearly 20 years ago), the project has been operated as a purely volunteer effort. Anyone wishing to assist in these efforts should send an email to Robbins.

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With the development of methods for adding typeset side notes to PDF files, the ESP project now plans to add annotated versions of some classical papers to its holdings. We also plan to add new reference and pedagogical material. We have already started providing regularly updated, comprehensive bibliographies to the ESP.ORG site.

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Papers in Classical Genetics

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Timelines

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Biographical information about many key scientists (e.g., Walter Sutton).

Selected Bibliographies

Bibliographies on several topics of potential interest to the ESP community are automatically maintained and generated on the ESP site.

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