Extreme climate events from rising temperatures and sea levels are increasing in frequency. Such events are altering complex interdependent pathways – both natural and manmade. While there is direct, acute, and obvious injury to the environment, there are also chronic, indirect effects by the way climate change alters disease patterns. Eventually, the consequences lead to increased costs for an already exasperated medical system, with an inability to meet essential health care needs.
Equipment shortages and supply chain interferences are more prevalent as weather events slow production and transport processes, especially for pharmaceuticals. This has been seen recently with Winter Storm Uri in Texas, the drought of the Rhine River, flooding in central China, Hurricane Ida in Louisiana, and Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico (asamonitor.pub/3Uat9cy; Marit Econ Logist 2022;24:489-506). However, shortages are not just seen in material goods. Climate change has promoted a maldistribution of the health care...
