Health Concerns Relating to Climate Change

Since the introduction of the concept of global warming in the previous century, many people have remained skeptical about its validity. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to dismiss its validity owing to the various impacts we are witnessing. It is a global phenomenon causing effects such as unpredictable and extreme weather changes, air quality shifts, ozone depletion, and food scarcity scares around the globe (Environmental Protection Agency, 2017). Of particular interest to this paper is the impact of climate change on vector-borne illnesses in the US compared to other countries, both developing and developed. Health Concerns Relating to Climate Change

America has experienced several consequences of climate change. For example, there is a significant concern relating to the West Nile Virus. It is spread to humans through mosquitos. These vectors are sensitive to climatic conditions such as temperature, precipitation and humidity all of which to some degree are influenced by climate change (Environmental Protection Agency, 2017). For instance, variations in temperature have a proportional relationship with the distribution and abundance of mosquitos which intern results in the West Nile Virus outbreaks. Another important player is birds which act as the natural host of the virus. The onset of warmer winters directly impacts the migration patterns of birds carrying the virus. The increasing temperatures result in a higher availability of warm aquatic habitats which are suitable for mosquito breeding resulting high incidences of the virus (Environmental Protection Agency, 2017). Lastly, further changes in temperature in America will likely influence human behavior in favor of the West Nile Virus. Thus, climate change will increase the likely hood of the transmission of the virus to humans through increasing host-vector interactions. Health Concerns Relating to Climate Change