Publications

The 2024 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: facing record-breaking threats from delayed action

Marina Romanello, Maria Walawender, Shih-Che Hsu, Annalyse Moskeland, Yasna Palmeiro-Silva, Daniel Scamman et al. – The Lancet Public Health, Volume 9, Issue 7, November 2024

The 2024 Lancet Countdown report, produced by 122 researchers from UN agencies and academic institutions, delivers the most concerning findings in eight years of monitoring the health–climate nexus. Despite hopes from the 2015 Paris Agreement, global warming has nearly reached the 1.5°C limit, with record surface temperatures in 2023 and 2024 driving escalating risks to lives and livelihoods worldwide.

DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(24)01822-1

Residual Longevity of Recaptured Sterile Mosquitoes as a Tool to Understand Field Performance and Reveal Quality.

Balatsos, G et al. – Insects 2024, 15, 826

The current study focused on understanding the longevity and frailty of sterile, non-sterile, and wild male mosquitoes subjected to different treatments, using the novel captive cohort method. Key findings include that marking mosquitoes, following IAEA protocols, had an insignificant effect on longevity under controlled conditions, and that sterilization had no negative effect on male longevity.

DOI: 10.3390/insects15110826

Mitigating the Threat of Invasive Mosquito Species Expansion: A Comprehensive Entomological Surveillance Study on Kastellorizo, a Remote Greek Island

Bisia, M. et al. – Insects 2024, 15, 724

This paper details a study on Kastellorizo island that tracked mosquito species, including the invasive Asian tiger mosquito, using KAP surveys, mosquito traps, and species identification to assess mosquito prevalence and community preparedness. The research revealed the presence of disease-carrying mosquito species and highlighted the need for increased public education and community involvement in mosquito monitoring to develop effective control strategies in isolated areas.

DOI: 10.3390/insects15090724

Climate change, malaria and neglected tropical diseases: a scoping review

Petra Klepac, et al.
Transactions of The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, Volume 118, Issue 9, September 2024, Pages 561–579

A comprehensive review of studies published from January 2010 to October 2023 found that the effects of climate change on malaria and 20 neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are highly variable, evolving over time, and difficult to predict globally. Of 511 eligible papers, malaria, dengue, and chikungunya were most frequently studied, while other NTDs were relatively neglected. Only a minority of studies addressed mitigation (34%) or adaptation (5%) strategies, and research was disproportionately focused on countries with lower disease burden and higher healthcare quality, leaving major gaps for high-burden, low-access regions, such as East Africa for leishmaniasis. Overall, coordinated and standardized modelling efforts are urgently needed to clarify how climate change will directly and indirectly affect these diseases worldwide.

DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trae026

Evolutionary dynamics of the successful expansion of pandemic Vibrio parahaemolyticus ST3 in Latin America

Campbell, A.M. et al. – Nature Communications 15, 7828

The evolutionary mechanisms behind global pathogen strain expansions are not well understood, but the spread of the Vibrio parahaemolyticus clone (VpST3) in Latin America offers key insights. This study found that the VpST3 strain was introduced in Latin America earlier than previously thought, adapting successfully to local marine climates through genetic changes that improved resilience and environmental fitness. These findings reveal how this marine pathogen can expand globally by evolving to thrive in distinct climate conditions.

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52159-y

Human–Environment Interactions Shape Mosquito Seasonal Population Dynamics

Blanco-Sierra, L. et al. – Insects 2024, 15(7), 527

This study investigates the factors influencing local populations of Aedes albopictus, a highly invasive mosquito species known for its role in spreading vector-borne diseases. Aimed at enhancing vector control effectiveness, the research focused on understanding the interplay between meteorological elements, human activity, and pest management efforts in determining mosquito abundance at local scales.

DOI: 10.3390/insects15070527

A climatic suitability indicator to support Leishmania infantum surveillance in Europe: a modelling study

A climatic suitability indicator to support Leishmania infantum surveillance in Europe: a modelling study Carvalho, Bruno M. et al. – The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, Volume 43, 100971

Leishmaniases are neglected diseases transmitted by sand flies. They disproportionately affect vulnerable groups globally. Understanding the relationship between climate and disease transmission allows the development of relevant decision-support tools for public health policy and surveillance. The aim of this modelling study was to develop an indicator that tracks climatic suitability for Leishmania infantum transmission in Europe at the subnational level.

DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2024.100971

The 2024 Europe report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: unprecedented warming demands unprecedented action

Kim Robin van Daalen et al. – The Lancet Public Health, Volume 9, Issue 7

In 2023, record-breaking temperatures were recorded globally, with Europe warming at twice the global average, posing severe health risks. The Lancet Countdown in Europe, established in 2021, tracks health impacts of climate change to push for urgent climate-responsive actions. The 2023 report, now expanded to 42 indicators, highlights the worsening health impacts, Europe’s delayed climate action, and emphasizes the need to address inequality and justice in climate responsibility and health risks.

DOI: 10.1016/S2468-2667(24)00055-0

The global health community at international climate change negotiations

Kim Robin van Daalen et al.
BMJ Global Health 2024;9:e015292

With 2023 shattering climate records across the world following decades of unprecedented warming, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of Parties 28 (UNFCCC COP28) in Dubai was the first UN climate change conference to feature an official ‘Health Day’ and witnessed the largest-ever turnout of the global health community. The threat of climate change to human well-being and planetary health has previously received little attention at the annual COPs, despite ever-growing scientific evidence warning of the increasing health dangers.

DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2024-015292

European Climate Risk Assessment: Storyline on Infectious diseases – Chapter 14

Shouro Dasgupta et al.
EEA Report 01/2024
Chapter 14

On a global scale, one of the biggest threats to human health from climate change is the increase in climate-sensitive infectious diseases, driven by rising temperatures, droughts and water scarcity, torrential rains, floods and warming oceans, among other factors. 58% of infectious diseases confronted by humanity worldwide have at some point been aggravated by climate hazards. The impacts on Europe to date have been limited, but there is growing evidence that vector-borne, foodborne and waterborne diseases will increase in the coming decades.