The Cost of Inaction: Quantifying the Impact of Climate Change on Health in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

The World Bank
Nov 19, 2024

The Cost of Inaction: Quantifying the Impact of Climate Change on Health in Low- and Middle-Income Countries


Climate change is impacting human health in myriad ways, including by increasing the frequency of extreme weather events, the emergence and spread of infectious diseases, and disruptions to food systems. The impacts of climate change on health—already profound—are only expected to worsen over time. Not only will the number of diseases and deaths from climate-sensitive health risks increase, but so too will the geographical range of these diseases.

Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are expected to face a disproportionate burden of these impacts due to their higher levels of poverty and income inequality, and weak healthcare systems. With growing recognition that the climate crisis is a health crisis, the international community has expressed urgent calls for action on climate and health.The response of the health community and researchers has been largely focused on studying the link between climate change and health.