Environmental and climate change impact on health: a medical anthropology perspective

Environmental degradation and climate change are critical public health challenges, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations and intensifying health disparities. A medical anthropology perspective highlights how cultural perceptions of illness, structural inequalities, and regional policies shape the experience and response to these environmental stressors. Scope: This review aims to explore the multifaceted social and health consequences of climate change through a medical anthropological framework, emphasizing the significance of environmental violence, health disparities, and health policies. Methods: This article employs a multidisciplinary approach rooted in medical anthropology, combining ethnographic case studies, literature review, and critical analysis of climate-health data. Results: Key areas found as determinants in climate change's impact on global health are: environmental and climate-related health effects, the impact on vulnerable populations, cultural perceptions of illness, mental health challenges, and the role of policy and community engagement in adaptation. Conclusions: Health outcomes from climate change are deeply rooted in cultural and social contexts. Medical anthropology offers essential insights for designing equitable, culturally informed interventions that address both health and environmental justice.