Possible Global Warming Effects on Aging and Humans

The toll that global warming can take on vulnerable populations was seen during the heat wave that hit Europe in 2003. More than 30,000 people died, largely because of cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, and, with temperatures reaching 41.5 ° C, the elderly were most affected.

But the health effects of climate change can be caused by many things besides extreme heat.

According to a report issued by the Lancet–Institute for Global Health commission, rising temperatures will affect the spread and transmission rates of vector-borne and rodent-borne diseases, for example. Temperature affects the rate of pathogen maturation and the density of insects in a particular area. Vector reproduction, the parasite-development cycle, and bite frequency tend to rise with temperature. So conditions like malaria, tick-borne encephalitis, and dengue fever will become increasingly widespread.

Furthermore, mosquitoes carrying malaria will likely start to appear in places previously free of the disease, areas that are increasingly warm. As many as 320 million more people will be affected by malaria by 2080 because of new transmission zones. About six billion people will be at risk of contracting dengue fever by 2080 as a result of climate change, compared with 3.5 billion people if the climate were to stay the same.

There’s more. As ocean temperatures go up, cholera outbreaks might rise too. Floods promote outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis. Rising sea levels and the flooding of coastal areas can lead to the contamination of fresh water and agricultural lands, plus the loss of nursery areas for fishing.

Drought, changing rates of plant and livestock diseases and pest infestations, and diminished crop yields and forest productivity will all affect food production and security.

To make matters worse, health problems can be exacerbated by the breakdown of sanitation, drainage, and water-supply systems. Then there is the potential for escalating rates of mental-health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, following natural disasters.

These are just a few of the things experts are saying and this past year was one of the hottest on record.

Anti-Aging tip: Be mindful of the rising temperatures and your exposure to sun and it's effect on your skin.  Degeneration of collagen and elastin which causes wrinkles occurs much faster in warmer climates. 

So take precautions in order to slow down the aging of your skin.
more information