Public health and climate change: epidemiological impacts and mitigation strategies

Abstract

Climate change constitutes one of the most significant challenges of the twenty-first century, with repercussions that extend beyond the environmental sphere to directly impact public health. It contributes to an increase in the incidence of infectious diseases, food insecurity, and health risks among vulnerable populations due to rising global temperatures, extreme weather events, and changes in precipitation patterns. This situation demands comprehensive responses that integrate health policies with environmental strategies, adopting a preventive and mitigation-focused approach and prioritising measures that strengthen community resilience while ensuring equity and sustainability in health management. To critically examine the epidemiological impacts of climate change and review existing mitigation strategies, a study was conducted based on a systematic literature review, implementing a structured protocol that organised the phases of search, selection, evaluation, and analysis of scientific literature. Digital tools such as Mendeley were employed for reference management, alongside a PRISMA flow diagram to ensure transparency and methodological rigour. The findings demonstrate that climate change acts as a central determinant of health, increasing vulnerability to vector-borne, respiratory, and cardiovascular diseases, as well as nutritional problems, disproportionately affecting populations with limited access to basic services and healthcare, thereby exacerbating social and health inequalities.