Which aspect of climate change affects health through increased temperature?

Increased temperatures associated with climate change prominently contribute to heat-related illnesses. As temperatures rise, individuals, particularly vulnerable populations such as the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions, are at a greater risk for conditions such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke. These conditions arise when the body's temperature regulation fails due to prolonged exposure to high temperatures.

Moreover, extreme heat can exacerbate existing health issues, reduce the body's ability to cool itself, and contribute to the deterioration of health, particularly during heatwaves. It can lead to increased mortality rates, especially among individuals who are unable to manage the heat effectively.

While waterborne diseases, allergy severity, and skin infections can also be influenced by climate change, they are not directly linked to heat as heat-related illnesses are. For instance, waterborne diseases are more associated with changes in precipitation patterns and flooding, allergy severity may relate to increased pollen due to longer growing seasons, and skin infections can be influenced by factors such as humidity and hygiene rather than direct temperature increases. Thus, heat-related illnesses serve as a primary and direct health risk resulting from increased temperatures due to climate change.