Long-Term Effects of Climate Change on Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality in At-Risk Populations and Wildlife

Abstract

Climate change is a significant global health concern, and its effects on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality would be massive, particularly in vulnerable groups. This study depends on the analysis of the long-term impacts of climate change on the state of cardiovascular health by taking the vulnerable populations (the aged, low-income, those with pre-existing health conditions, etc.) as the primary objects. The simulate the association between the climate variables (extreme temperatures, air pollution, and regular monsoon flooding) and the cardiovascular outcomes (heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular diseases) using data on a 20-year interval (20032023) of both rural and urban South Asia, which is one of the regions that climate stressors have greatly impactedssors. Advanced statistical models, such as time-series regression and distributed lag non-linear models (DLNMs), were used to determine the delayed and accrued effects of climate change on cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The study discover that there is a close correlation between rising temperature and heavy air pollution, together with a rising rate of cardiovascular death, and also the higher rates of cardiovascular death are linked to the population with limited access to healthcare, and also to those populations located in flood-prone areas. Simultaneously, research on wildlife species has shown that climate-related stressors, including rising temperatures and air pollution, can cause cardiovascular stress and mortality. For example, heat stress in some animal species can cause elevated heart rates, cardiovascular strain, and increased mortality, similar to the effects on the human population. These results support the need to address human and animal health in climate change adaptation regulations. The findings of the study emphasize the idea that urgent actions that should be taken to create region-focused climate adaptation plans, including the improvement of the healthcare system, early intervention programs, air pollutants minimization strategy, etc., are required. The article provides novel insights into the consequences of climate change for long-term cardiovascular health in South Asia, contributing to the global discourse on climate change and underscoring the need to give special concern to public health in populations at risk.