Wright C Y, Garland R M, Norval M, Vogel C
S Afr Med J. 2014 Aug;104(8):579-82. doi: 10.7196/samj.8603.
Climate change is projected to lead to warmer temperatures, especially in southern Africa, where the warming is predicted to be 2°C higher than the global increase. Given the high burden of disease already associated with environmental factors in this region, this temperature increase may lead to grave challenges for human health and quality of life. HIV/AIDS, poverty, food and water insecurity together with inequality and unemployment will further complicate the manner in which we will need to address the challenges of a changing climate. The health impacts are direct, such as increased temperatures leading to heat exhaustion, and indirect, such as likely increases in infectious diseases from contaminated water and changes in the distribution and/or magnitude of vector-borne diseases. The most effective measures for adapting to climate change to ensure healthy populations are to implement basic public health systems and services. These range from a continuous supply of clean water to adequate primary healthcare services. Support for required interventions is required not only from government, but also from healthcare professionals and communities. The need for disease surveillance, data capturing and more focused research is paramount.
预计气候变化将导致气温上升，尤其是在南部非洲，预计该地区的升温幅度将比全球平均升温幅度高2摄氏度。鉴于该地区与环境因素相关的疾病负担已经很高，气温上升可能给人类健康和生活质量带来严峻挑战。艾滋病毒/艾滋病、贫困、粮食和水不安全以及不平等和失业，将使我们应对气候变化挑战的方式更加复杂。对健康的影响既有直接的，比如气温升高导致中暑；也有间接的，比如受污染的水可能导致传染病增加，以及病媒传播疾病的分布和/或规模发生变化。为确保民众健康而适应气候变化的最有效措施是实施基本的公共卫生系统和服务。这些措施包括持续供应清洁水以及提供足够的初级医疗服务。不仅政府需要支持所需的干预措施，医疗专业人员和社区也需要提供支持。疾病监测、数据收集以及更具针对性的研究至关重要。
