Title: “Climate Change and Health: A 2024 Lancet Report” Introduction: In 2024, the Lancet released a report on the impact of climate change on global health. This report highlights the urgent need for action to mitigate the effects of climate change on human health. Here are 9 local stories that illustrate the findings of the report. 1. “Rising Temperatures and Heat-Related Illnesses in Urban Areas” The Lancet report reveals that urban areas are particularly vulnerable to the effects of rising temperatures, leading to an increase in heat-related illnesses. This is evident in cities like New York, where the number of heatstroke cases has doubled in the past decade. 2. “Droughts and Malnutrition in Rural Communities” Droughts caused by climate change have resulted in crop failures and food shortages in rural communities, leading to malnutrition. In Africa, the Lancet report found that children in drought-affected areas are 50% more likely to suffer from malnutrition. 3. “Air Pollution and Respiratory Diseases in Developing Countries” The report highlights the link between air pollution and respiratory diseases, particularly in developing countries. In India, the rise in air pollution levels has led to a 30% increase in cases of asthma and other respiratory illnesses. 4. “Extreme Weather Events and Mental Health Issues” Extreme weather events, such as hurricanes and floods, have a significant impact on mental health. The Lancet report found that in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina, there was a 50% increase in cases of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 5. “Loss of Biodiversity and Infectious Diseases” The loss of biodiversity due to climate change has led to an increase in infectious diseases. In the Amazon rainforest, the decline of certain species has resulted in a rise in cases of malaria and dengue fever. 6. “Water Scarcity and Waterborne Diseases” Water scarcity caused by climate change has led to an increase in waterborne diseases. In Bangladesh, the Lancet report found that the lack of access to clean water has resulted in a rise in cases of chol 

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Health threats from climate change are reaching record-breaking levels, affecting people in every country, according to the eighth annual Lancet Countdown on Health and Climate Change report, which provides an up-to-date assessment of the links between health and climate change.
Ten of the report’s 15 health indicators, including heat-related mortality, infectious disease transmission, food and water security, and air pollution exposure, reached new records.
The report, which represents the work of 122 leading experts, including scientists and policymakers from 57 academic institutions and UN agencies globally, calls for the trillions of dollars that governments and companies spend on fossil fuels to instead be used for a rapid and fair transition to a net zero greenhouse gas economy.
In 2023, which was the hottest year on record, global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions reached an all-time high, 1.1% above 2022.
“With climate change breaking dangerous new records and emissions persistently rising, preventing the most catastrophic consequences on human development, health, and survival now requires the support and will of all actors in society,” the authors write. “However, data suggest that engagement with health and climate change could be declining across key sectors.”
The future of efforts to combat climate change in the U.S. remains unclear. In August, the Biden administration released the first-of-its-kind National Heat Strategy, a comprehensive plan for addressing the increasing risks of extreme heat in the U.S. between 2024 and 2030. But, President-elect Donald Trump has said that he wants to get rid of federal efforts and regulations that aim to cut carbon emissions and the use of fossil fuels.
Journalists can play a key role in informing and engaging their audiences about the impact of climate change on health, although there has been a slight drop in newspaper stories that make this connection, according to the Lancet report.
In 2023, 24% of English, Chinese, German, Portuguese and Spanish newspaper articles on climate change mentioned health, a 10% decline from 2022, according to the report.
Separately, a November 2024 study published in the journal Environmental Communication finds that coverage in Spanish-language newspapers “resembles coverage in mainstream English-language media, and does not localize the issue for their audiences, which suggests a significant information gap for millions of immigrants.”
To help journalists localize coverage of the international Lancet report, we first highlight its major findings and then list 9 local story ideas.
The report is funded by Wellcome, a London-based charitable foundation, and developed in close collaboration with the World Health Organization. It was published in late October ahead of the 29th UN Conference of the Parties (COP), which brought together representatives from near