In a video for the RCP, Dr Mark Harber, the RCP’s special adviser on healthcare sustainability and climate change, sits down with Dr Christina Petridou, consultant in infectious diseases and microbiology at the Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory, to explore the growing link between climate change and infectious diseases.
During their insightful conversation, Dr Harber and Dr Petridou discuss how climate change is driving emerging infectious disease trends worldwide, including the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases. The experts emphasise that rising global temperatures, shifting weather patterns, and changes in ecosystems are creating new breeding grounds for pathogens and vectors, making certain regions more susceptible to outbreaks.
The conversation also focuses on the effects these changing trends are having on the UK healthcare system. Vulnerable populations, such as the elderly and low-income communities, are particularly at risk due to their limited access to healthcare and increased exposure to disease vectors. The speakers highlight the pressing need for healthcare systems to adapt by ensuring adequate resources are in place, including proper training for physicians and healthcare workers to handle these evolving challenges.
Looking ahead, both Dr Harber and Dr Petridou stress the importance of proactive strategies in infectious disease management, underscoring the need for global cooperation and swift action to mitigate the health impacts of climate change. Their discussion serves as a stark reminder that climate change is not just an environmental issue but a public health crisis that demands immediate attention.