Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and shifting ecosystems affect health and cause heat-related mortality and illnesses, respiratory and mental diseases, allergies, and the increase of infectious outbreaks. Habitat destruction and biodiversity loss disrupt ecosystems, driving species migration and increasing human-wildlife interactions that can lead to zoonotic diseases. Such impacts deepen food insecurity, displacement, inequities and economic instability, exacerbating global inequities.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical weaknesses in healthcare systems worldwide, underscoring the urgent need for stronger global preparedness, resilient infrastructures, and equitable access to care. Meanwhile, deforestation, wildlife trade, and intensive agriculture increase the risk of zoonotic spillovers, while weak healthcare systems and global travel accelerate disease transmission—reinforcing the need for coordinated, proactive solutions.

Health disparities are shaped by income, education, and employment. These inequalities limit access to healthcare, healthy living conditions, and opportunities for disease prevention, creating cycles of disadvantage.

Malnutrition—both undernutrition and obesity—is driven by food systems, agricultural policies, and economic structures. Climate change, soil degradation, and unsustainable food production threaten access to nutritious food, while industrial agriculture and deforestation disrupt ecosystems and biodiversity. Poor diets—whether from food scarcity or overconsumption of processed foods—fuel global health crises, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Rapid urban growth drives overcrowding, pollution, and shrinking green spaces, harming both physical and mental health. At the same time, sedentary lifestyles fuel the rise of non-communicable diseases, while increased human-wildlife interactions in urban areas heighten the risk of zoonotic disease transmission.

The overuse and misuse of antibiotics in human medicine, veterinary care, and industrial farming accelerate drug resistance, making infections harder to treat. Antimicrobial resistance poses a major threat to both human and animal health, with resistant bacteria spreading through water systems, food production, and global trade.

War and conflicts devastate healthcare systems, displace populations, and heighten physical and mental trauma, increasing vulnerability to disease, malnutrition, and long-term health impacts. The destruction of infrastructure and medical facilities leads to preventable deaths due to lack of access to essential care. Environmental destruction from warfare contaminates water, food supplies, and ecosystems, exacerbating health crises and contributing to lasting planetary degradation. The loss of life, both immediate and long-term, extends beyond the battlefield, affecting generations through disrupted healthcare, economic instability, and psychological trauma.

Weak governance, political instability, and human rights violations erode health equity by restricting access to healthcare, education, and social protection. Corruption and poor policies exacerbate public health crises, while environmental mismanagement accelerates resource depletion and ecosystem collapse.