Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2026
06:52
Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit
Published on: September 30, 2020
Climate change and disability-adjusted life years.
Ying Zhang1, Peng Bi, Janet E Hiller
1Department of Public Health, Univeristyof Adelaide, South Australia. ying.zhang@adelaide.edu.au
Journal of Environmental Health
|October 19, 2007
Summary
Estimating disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost due to climate change is challenging. Current knowledge is limited, highlighting the need for more research across diverse populations and regions.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Health
- Epidemiology
- Global Health
Background:
- Climate change poses significant threats to global health.
- Quantifying health impacts, such as disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), is crucial for understanding disease burden.
- Previous assessments, like the WHO 2002 global-burden-of-disease study, offer limited insights into climate-attributable DALYs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review existing literature on disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost due to climate change.
- To identify methodological challenges and summarize research findings.
- To highlight knowledge gaps and recommend future research directions.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review methodology was employed.
- Studies assessing DALYs lost because of climate change were critically evaluated.
- Both methodological aspects and research outcomes were considered.
Main Results:
- There is a significant lack of comprehensive data on DALYs attributable to climate change.
- Existing estimates are largely based on limited information, primarily from the WHO 2002 study.
- Measuring climate-related DALYs presents unique methodological complexities compared to other causes.
Conclusions:
- Current understanding of climate change's impact on DALYs is insufficient.
- Further research is essential to accurately measure and address the health burden of climate change.
- Future studies should encompass diverse populations, ecological regions, and include developing countries.
Related Concept Videos
01:50Global Climate Change
Throughout its ~4.5 billion year history, the Earth has experienced periods of warming and cooling. However, the current drastic increase in global temperatures is well outside of the Earth’s cyclic norms, and evidence for human-caused global climate change is compelling. Paleoclimatology, the study of ancient climate conditions, provides ample evidence for human-caused global climate change by comparing recent conditions with those in the past.
01:16What is Climate?
Climate refers to the prevailing weather conditions in a specific area over an extended period. As the saying goes, “Climate is what you expect. Weather is what you get.” Climate is influenced by geographic factors, such as latitude, terrain, and proximity to bodies of water.
01:27Microbes and Climate Change
Microorganisms are pivotal agents in Earth's biogeochemical cycles, significantly influencing climate dynamics through their metabolic activities. These microbes modulate the levels of key greenhouse gases by both contributing to and helping mitigate climate change.Microbial Contributions to Greenhouse Gas EmissionsRising global temperatures accelerate microbial metabolism, which, in turn, speeds up the decomposition of organic matter. This process releases carbon dioxide (CO₂) through...
01:29Intellectual Disability
Intellectual disability (ID) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by deficits in intellectual and adaptive functioning that manifest during the developmental period. This condition encompasses challenges in reasoning, memory, problem-solving, and learning, accompanied by impairments in everyday life skills, such as communication, self-care, and social interactions. Intellectual disability affects approximately 1% of the population in the United States, impacting an estimated 5...
01:29Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction
Alzheimer disease is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder and the most common cause of dementia in older adults. It leads to gradual neuronal loss, causing cognitive decline, behavioral changes, and loss of functional independence.Risk Factors and EtiologyThe disease is multifactorial. Age is the strongest risk factor, with prevalence doubling every 5 years after age 65. Genetic factors include mutations in genes such as APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2, which are associated...
01:18Factors Affecting Illness
When a person's physical, emotional, intellectual, social development or spiritual functioning is compromised, this deviation from a healthy normal state is called illness. Illness creates stress that in turn harms individuals. Irritation, anger, denial, hopelessness, and fear are behavioral and emotional changes an individual experiences in the phases of illness. A variety of factors influence a person's health and well-being.
For instance, risk factors are connected to illness, disability,...
For instance, risk factors are connected to illness, disability,...