Sustainable Solutions for Human Health Concerns

One of the secondary effects of climate change is an increased pressure from infectious disease. This is partly due to the migration of disease vector insects from warmer climate into formerly temperate zones. The yellow mosquito that can carry malaria is one example, as its range appears to be expanding.

A decrease in the amount of international shipping, especially air flight, will help with the pressures from introduced non-native species, as long as shipping remains even as well regulated as it is now. If shipping became unregulated to the point that rampant smuggling was bringing goods instead of drugs across maritime borders, potentially devastating bugs could get loose, as was the case in a early ‘aughts outbreak of cholera in Mexico.

Much of the focus on sustainable health care is on prevention rather than cure. This means encouraging healthy eating habits and plenty of exercise, as many HMOs and other health “partnerships” are doing. In Canada where government policies drive the national health care system, change can be slower, but anyone can make common sense lifestyle and diet changes to reduce your need for health care.