This report written by the World Economic Forum, in collaboration with Oliver Wyman, provides an in-depth economic analysis of how climate change will reshape health landscapes over the next two decades. It highlights increased risks from new pathogens, pollution and extreme weather events and shows how these will exacerbate current health inequities, disproportionately impacting the most vulnerable populations.

By 2050, climate change is likely to cause an additional 14.5 million deaths and $12.5 trillion in economic losses worldwide, according to a new World Economic Forum report on the impact of global warming on health. To meet and mitigate these new climate challenges will necessitate a comprehensive health system transformation and global collaborative efforts across multiple stakeholder groups and industries.

Healthcare systems are also predicted to face an additional $1.1 trillion burden due to climate-induced impacts. The analysis identifies floods and droughts as leading causes of climate-related mortality and heat waves as the biggest cause of economic losses. It also forecasts the rise and spread of climate-sensitive diseases like malaria and dengue.

The report emphasizes the urgent need for global emission-reduction strategies and adaptation of healthcare infrastructures, advocating for collaborative efforts to transform health systems in response to this escalating crisis.