Climate-Sensitive Infectious Diseases under Global Climate Change.

Qiao LIU; Min LIU; Jue LIU

Return

Climate-Sensitive Infectious Diseases under Global Climate Change.

Author: Qiao LIU ¹ ; Min LIU ² ; Jue LIU ³
Author Information

1. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China;Institute of Environmental Medicine, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China.
2. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China;Key Laboratory of Epidemiology of Major Diseases (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China.
3. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China;Institute of Environmental Medicine, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China;Key Laboratory of Epidemiology of Major Diseases (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China;Institute for Global Health and Development, Peking University, Haidian District, Beijing 100871, China.
Publication Type:Review
MeSH: Climate Change; Communicable Diseases/transmission*; Humans; Animals; Global Health
From: Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(9):1129-1141
CountryChina
Language:English
Abstract: Climate and weather significantly influence the duration, timing, and intensity of disease outbreaks, reshaping the global landscape of infectious diseases. Rising temperatures and shifts in precipitation patterns driven by climate change can directly impact the survival and reproduction of pathogens and vector organisms. Moreover, climate change is expected to exacerbate extreme weather events, including floods and droughts, which can disrupt infrastructure and increase the risk of water- and foodborne diseases. There are potential shifts in the temporal and spatial patterns of infectious disease transmission owing to climate change. Furthermore, climate change may alter the epidemiology of vaccine-preventable diseases. These climatic variations not only affect the ecological characteristics of pathogens and vectors but also indirectly influence human behaviors and socioeconomic conditions, further amplifying disease transmission risks. Addressing this challenge requires an interdisciplinary collaboration and comprehensive public health strategies. This review aims to synthesize the current evidence on the impact of climate change on climate-sensitive infectious diseases and elucidate the underlying mechanisms and transmission pathways. Additionally, we explored adaptive policy strategies to mitigate the public health burden of infectious diseases in the context of climate change, offering insights for global health governance and disease control efforts.