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Journal of Clinical and
Translational Research Climate change

Particulate matter from fires is linked to cardiovascular well-being, from emotional distress to anxiety, depression,
events and premature mortality. Air quality deterioration grief, and suicidal behavior. Communities experiencing
represents one of the most immediate health threats climate disasters suffer from PTSD, depression, anxiety,
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posed by climate change. Increased wildfire frequency and and increased rates of substance abuse and suicide. Loss
intensity, exacerbated by drought and rising temperatures, of homes, livelihoods, and community ties has lasting
release massive quantities of particulate matter and toxic psychological effects. Thus, the psychological toll of
compounds into the atmosphere. Extended pollen seasons climate change is emerging as a significant public health
and higher pollen concentrations are intensifying allergic concern. Climate anxiety and eco-distress affect millions
diseases. The resulting air pollution contributes to asthma who face an uncertain future. Healthcare providers must
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exacerbations, COPD progression, respiratory infections, now integrate climate-related mental health screening and
and cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and support into routine practice.
strokes. Thus, clinicians are witnessing a constant increase
in both acute presentations and chronic disease burden 7. Climate migration health needs
related to poor air quality. Population displacement due to environmental

5. Food and water security degradation creates healthcare challenges, including
infectious disease spread, interrupted chronic disease
Changing precipitation patterns, droughts, and floods affect management, and increased trauma care needs. Climate
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food production and water safety. This impacts nutrition change disproportionately affects certain populations,
and increases waterborne disease risks, particularly exacerbating existing health inequities. Children face
gastroenteritis and cholera in vulnerable regions. Climate developmental risks from heat exposure, malnutrition,
change also threatens the global food systems through and infectious diseases. The elderly have reduced adaptive
altered growing conditions, extreme weather events, and capacity to temperature extremes. Pregnant women
degraded soil quality. Crop failures and reduced nutritional experience increased risks of adverse outcomes. Low-
content in staple foods lead to malnutrition, micronutrient income communities and marginalized groups often live
deficiencies, and food insecurity, particularly in vulnerable in areas most vulnerable to climate impacts while having
populations. In addition, rising food prices and supply the least resources for adaptation. Due to climate change,
chain disruptions disproportionately affect low-income indigenous populations also face growing threats to their
communities. Clinicians are increasingly encountering traditional livelihoods and food sources. Clinicians must
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malnutrition-related conditions, calling for exploration recognize and address these disparities through targeted
of social determinants of health and implementation of interventions and advocacy.
community-level interventions.
8. Healthcare infrastructure strain
Global major events, such as glacier melting and rising
sea levels, are affecting both water quantity and quality. These challenges are fundamentally reshaping clinical
Droughts reduce access to clean water for drinking practice. Healthcare providers must develop new
and sanitation, increasing the risk of dehydration and competencies in climate-related health risks, incorporate
waterborne diseases in areas that have never experienced environmental assessments into patient evaluations, and
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such disasters. Conversely, flooding contaminates water participate in preventive public health initiatives. Medical
supplies and overwhelms sewage systems. Saltwater education curricula are evolving to include climate health
intrusion into coastal freshwater sources threatens content. Clinical guidelines are being updated to address
drinking water security for millions. These changes require climate-related considerations. The concept of “planetary
clinicians to consider water access and quality in patient health” is emerging, recognizing the inseparable connection
assessments and public health planning. between human health and the health of natural systems.
Thus, climate-related disasters are directly impacting
6. Mental health impacts healthcare facilities and operations. Hurricanes, floods,
“Climate anxiety” or eco-anxiety is emerging, particularly wildfires, and extreme heat events can damage hospitals,
among young people suffering from depression, anxiety, and disrupt power supplies, compromise pharmaceutical
increased rates of substance abuse and suicide. In addition, storage, and prevent patients from accessing care.
natural disasters cause post-traumatic stress disorder Healthcare systems must invest in climate resilience, such
(PTSD), depression, and community trauma. According as emergency preparedness, infrastructure strengthening,
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to the World Health Organization (WHO), climate change heat action plans, backup power systems, and telemedicine
poses a rising threat to mental health and psychosocial capabilities. The increasing frequency of mass casualty

Volume 11 Issue 5 (2025) 2 doi: 10.36922/JCTR025420072