Climate Change, Epigenetics, Microbiota, and Health
Abstract
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.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Climate Change Impacts on Marine Ecosystems
- Assisted Gene Flow to Facilitate Local Adaptation to Climate Change
- Climate Change Effects on Plant Disease: Genomes to Ecosystems
- Biodiversity and Climate Change: Integrating Evolutionary and Ecological Responses of Species and Communities
- A systematic review of climate change education: giving children and young people a ‘voice’ and a ‘hand’ in redressing climate change
- Global Monsoon Dynamics and Climate Change
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.