Climate change and communicable diseases in the EU Member States : Handbook for national vulnerability, impact and adaptation assessments

Climate change rarely acts in isolation. Changes in the incidence and/or geographic range of infectious diseases arise from the interaction of changes in temperature, precipitation and other climate variables with underlying vulnerabilities. These vulnerabilities include the effectiveness of infectious disease surveillance and control programs, access to healthcare, educational levels, economic resources, equity, and social cohesion. The ability of a nation or community to identify and implement response options to address the additional health risks of climate change depends on a range of factors. Of primary importance are concerns that policy-makers and the public have sufficient knowledge of the health risks that climate change pose and the range of responses needed to reduce current and projected adverse health impacts.This handbook is intended to be a resource to encourage planning activities that anticipate and address the possible impact of climate change on communicable disease spread. Informed by current climate change science, particularly as it relates to communicable disease spread, this handbook suggests various processes and important points for consideration when conducting vulnerability assessments and developing adaptation strategies for climate change.Keywords: Climate change, scientific advice, food- and waterborne diseases