Evaluation of the Effects of Climatic Factors on the Occurrence of Diarrheal Diseases and Malaria: A Pilot Retrospective Study in Jhapa District, Nepal

Abstract

Background The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) defines climate change as "a change in the state of the climate that can be identified (e.g. using statistical tests) by changes in the mean and / or the variability of its properties and thatpersists for an extended period, typically decades or longer". The Earth's average surface temperature has risen by about 0.74 degrees Celsius in the past 100 years and it could even rise by up to 5 degree Celsius by 2080 if the emission of such gases are not decisively reduced (IPCC 2007). It is now universally acknowledged that the climate change we are witnessing will continue for a long time. Clearly Nepal is facing climate change-induced consequences in many spheres of society and development. The data are still scarce and it is difficult to draw clear conclusions for future adaptation measures for Nepal. Climate change is an emerging risk factor for humanhealth. Human beings are exposed to climate change through changing weather patterns (temperature, precipitation, sea-level rise and more frequent extreme events) and indirectly through changes in water, air and food quality and changes in ecosystems, agriculture, industry and settlements and economy. The IPCC most recent report 2007 which concluded that "Climate change currently contributes to the global burden of disease and premature deaths…At this early stage the effects are small, but are projected to progressively increase in all countries and regions" ( IPCC 2007). Human interactions with the natural environment have grown tremendously in the recent centuries. Environmentally significant greenhouse gases are increasing due to both natural and anthropogenic activities and contributing to globalwarming.