Diseases

• Cataracts


  • inflammation of the eye leading to blindness
  • caused by a prolonged exposure to UV rays due to depletion of the ozone layer or sun beds
  • 15-20 million become blind from cataracts and 20% is caused by UV
• Thermal stress


  • caused by heatwaves, milder winters and increased humidity so a greater impact on the elderly and more respiratory conditions
• skin cancer


  • most common in 15-19 year olds
  • 1 in 3 cancers are skin
  • high risk due to uv radiation, fair skinned, elderly, family history, radiotherapy, weak immune system and skin conditions
  • risk reduced by using suncream, reducing time in sun, ski goggles
• nutritional standards

  • if climate change forces food prices to rise then consumers may choose less healthy, cheaper food causing obesity or malnutrition
  • processed food with high sugar and fat is usually cheaper than fresh alternatives
  • climate change prevents challenges to public health organisations to monitor and respond to nutritional changes
  • Food standard agency (FSA) is responsible for food safety and hygiene across the uk
• epidemic 


  an outbreak of disease that spreads quickly affecting many individuals at the same time
• pandemic 


  an outbreak of disease occurring across multiple countries
• vector


  organism that transmits a pathogen from one organism to another