Perception of risk of climate change on non-communicable diseases in economically rural China: a mixed method study

This study investigates the association between climate change and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) specifically chronic diseases, by analyzing correlations between perceived climatic alterations and the incidence rates of five NCDs categories over a five-year longitudinal dataset from rural China. Our findings reveal that certain climatic conditions specifically, higher temperatures, increased dry and hot winds, and a shift toward drier climates are significantly associated with elevated incidence rates of NCDs affecting the digestive, respiratory, and circulatory systems. Conversely, some climate changes appear to reduce the incidence of these diseases, highlighting the complex interplay between climate change and NCDs prevalence. Additionally, the study uncovers the limitations of New Cooperative Medical Scheme (NCMS) in protecting rural populations from the adverse health outcomes induced by climate change. We also identify a perceptible threshold in human awareness of climate impacts, suggesting that observable climate modifications directly affect NCDs incidence rates, with variations across demographic groups and disease types. This work not only expands our understanding of the health consequences of climate change on NCDs but also emphasizes the need for integrated strategies that combine health service provision with climate adaptation efforts.