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There is a growing understanding of how climate change impacts human health. These health arguments are an increasingly powerful perspective on the importance of climate risk mitigation and adaptation.

For actuaries whose work entails projections of human health, morbidity, and mortality, the list of relevant climate change impacts is long and complex. Uncertainties in projections considering health are also magnified by future responses to climate change, at both an individual behaviour level and societal level. These may mitigate or exacerbate primary climate change drivers. While not an exhaustive list, some important issues impacting human health are:

1. Air quality changes

1. Associated with fossil fuel burning
2. Wildfire smoke

2. Temperature extremes

1. Heatwave and cold spells
2. Increases in intensity and frequency
3. Changing geographical patterns
4. Changing patterns in endemic infectious disease

3. New epidemics/pandemics

1. New pathogens, zoonoses, and disease vectors associated with changing land use and precipitation patterns
2. Increases in frequency and severity
3. Health system stability and continuity during crises

4. Deterioration in mental health

1. Eco-anxiety
2. PTSD after disaster events

5. Water and food security

1. Drought
2. Flooding and water-borne diseases
3. Changing agricultural production patterns and capacity
4. Political instability and conflict risk

6. The response to climate change risk

1. The extent and pace of greenhouse gas emission reduction
2. Health system adaptation and disaster readiness
3. Public efforts to mitigate preventable health impacts
4. Climate change-induced migration and demographic shifts
5. Adoption of low-carbon lifestyles with secondary health impacts
6. Changing consumer buying behaviour towards private health protection