Research projects to study impact of climate change on diseases in Singapore

Climate change could increase the geographic range of diseases such as dengue by allowing mosquitoes to breed in more temperate regions. - PHOTO: ST FILE

SINGAPORE (The Straits Times/ANN): As climate change looks set to result in hotter temperatures here, some researchers suggest a heat warning system could help in managing the impact of chronic diseases exacerbated by heatwaves.

In incidents of heatwaves, where increased temperatures last several days, such a warning system could be used to alert people with conditions such as diabetes, hypertension or a history of heart problems – who are at greater risk of adverse health effects due to the heat – to stay indoors, said Assistant Professor Borame Dickens from the National University of Singapore’s Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health.