The invisible effects of climate change are disrupting our bodies, notably our immune systems, by contributing to a surge in immune-mediated diseases like allergies and cancer.

Kari Nadeau reports for STAT.

In short:

• Climate change exacerbates immune-related diseases by harming the body's natural defenses and its ability to recover, affecting children and adults alike.
• A nutritious diet and exposure to diverse ecosystems, crucial for a strong immune system, are threatened by climate-induced changes.
• Investing in climate change mitigation can significantly reduce healthcare costs and improve public health, underscoring the urgent need for global policy action.

Key quote:

"Every $1 spent on mitigating climate change would save at least $3 in health care costs."

— Kari Nadeau, professor of climate and population Studies at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Why this matters:

Addressing climate change is not just an environmental issue but a crucial health imperative that could save lives and reduce healthcare costs. Climate change has long been recognized as an external threat multiplier and these findings demonstrate the mounting impact of climate stressors on the global burden of disease.