Climate Change, Epigenetics, Microbiota, and Health

TL;DR

This paper explains how climate change worsens non-communicable diseases by altering epigenetics and microbiota, stressing the need for new public health strategies.

Contribution

The paper introduces a transdisciplinary approach using epigenetic and microbiota biomarkers to address climate-driven health inequalities.

Findings

Epigenetic changes and microbiota alterations mediate the health effects of climate stressors.

Multi-omics technologies are crucial for understanding climate-related disease pathways.

The One Health framework is vital for reducing health disparities caused by climate change.

Abstract

Public health relevance—How does this work relate to a public health issue?
Climate change acceleration exacerbates non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.Vulnerable populations face heightened risks from environmental pressure.

Climate change acceleration exacerbates non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.

Vulnerable populations face heightened risks from environmental pressure.

Public health significance—Why is this work of significance to public health?
This work clarifies the molecular pathways linking climate stressors to NCDs.Multi-omics technologies are essential for understanding the complex relationships between climate stressors and NCDs.

This work clarifies the molecular pathways linking climate stressors to NCDs.

Multi-omics technologies are essential for understanding the complex relationships between climate stressors and NCDs.

Public health implications—What are the key implications or messages for practitioners, policy makers, and/or researchers in public health?
Epigenetic and microbiota biomarkers are needed to plan adaptation strategies against climate change-driven NCDs.Transdisciplinary public health strategies underscore the critical importance of the One Health framework in reducing health inequalities.

Epigenetic and microbiota biomarkers are needed to plan adaptation strategies against climate change-driven NCDs.

Transdisciplinary public health strategies underscore the critical importance of the One Health framework in reducing health inequalities.

The acceleration of climate change poses a growing threat to human health, particularly by exacerbating non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. Rising global temperatures amplify air pollution and environmental toxins, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. This narrative review explores the complex pathways linking climate-related environmental stressors to adverse health outcomes, focusing on the intermediary roles of epigenetic modifications and alterations in the microbiota. Epigenetic processes, including DNA methylation and histone modifications, may mediate how environmental exposures influence gene expression and disease susceptibility. Concurrently, changes in microbiota composition induced by pollutants and temperature fluctuations can promote inflammatory responses and immune dysfunction. Elucidating these molecular mechanisms is essential for developing targeted interventions and adaptive strategies to mitigate the health impacts of climate change. This review underscores the importance of identifying epigenetic and microbiota-based biomarkers for early risk stratification and for informing public health prevention and adaptation policies. A transdisciplinary approach, grounded in the One Health framework, is critical to addressing the growing burden of climate-sensitive diseases and reducing health inequalities.