Environmental Changes Are Fueling Human, Animal and Plant Diseases, Study Finds

Several large-scale changes to the planet, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and the spread of invasive species, are making infectious diseases more dangerous, according to a recent study. These effects have been documented in previous targeted studies on specific diseases and ecosystems. The study, a meta-analysis of nearly 1,000 previous studies, highlights the consistent patterns of these changes globally. The research also suggests that urbanization decreases the risk of infectious disease. The analysis focuses on five global change drivers: biodiversity change, climate change, chemical pollution, the introduction of nonnative species, and habitat loss or change.