Scoping the proximal and distal dimensions of climate change on health and wellbeing

Environmental Health

Review

Lora Elderkin Fleming¹  Michael Harold Depledge¹  George Paterson Morris¹  William Neil Adger²  Stefan Reis³  Sheila Anne Beck⁴  Timothy Guy Benton⁵ 

[1] European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School C/o Knowledge Spa RCHT, Truro, TR1 3HD, Cornwall, UK;Geography, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Rennes Drive, EX4 4RJ, Exeter, UK;NERC Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Bush Estate, Midlothian, Penicuik, UK;European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School C/o Knowledge Spa RCHT, Truro, TR1 3HD, Cornwall, UK;NHS Health Scotland, Meridian Court, Cadogan Street, Glasgow, UK;UK’s Global Food Security Programme and School of Biology, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK;

关键词: Ecosystems;    Food;    Nutrition;    Mobility;    Migration;    Concepts;    Stakeholder engagement;    Theoretical frameworks;    Ecosystem services;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12940-017-0329-y

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

The impacts of climate on health and wellbeing occur in time and space and through a range of indirect, complicated mechanisms. This diversity of pathways has major implications for national public health planning and influence on interventions that might help to mitigate and adapt to rapidly changing environmental conditions, nationally and internationally. This paper draws upon evidence from public health and adverse impact studies across climate science, hydrology, agriculture, public health, and the social sciences. It presents a conceptual model to support decision-making by recognizing both the proximal and distal pathways from climate-induced environmental change to national health and wellbeing. The proximal and distal pathways associated with food security, migration and mobility illustrate the diverse climate change influences in different geographic locations over different timescales. We argue that greater realization and articulation of proximal and distal pathways should radically alter how climate change is addressed as a national and international public health challenge.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s). 2017