17 health threats identified by 2050
The Lancet, a respected medical journal, has identified 17 major threats to human health by the year 2100, with an estimated economic cost of 1,000 billion dollars annually. These threats include climate change, obesity, and health inequalities, among others.Heat-related deaths rising
Between 2016 and 2023, heat linked to climate change caused nearly 3 million deaths. In 2023 alone, 710,000 people died due to extreme temperatures, with 71% of these deaths linked to human-induced global warming.Economic impact of climate change
The report highlights that economic losses from climate change far exceed direct health expenditures. Productivity in the most affected regions is collapsing, with Southeast Asia losing 3.9% of its GDP and Africa losing 3.2%.Heat's toll in France
In France, the summer of 2025 saw more than 5,700 deaths attributed to heat, representing over 3% of the mortality observed during that period. This illustrates the growing impact of extreme temperatures on public health.Lifestyle-related health threats
Obesity, poor diet, and sedentary lifestyles are ranked among the top health threats. These factors contribute to chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular issues, which already consume 10 to 15% of healthcare budgets in Western countries.Rising costs of chronic disease
Without preventive action, the financial burden of chronic diseases could double by 2100. These costs affect not only healthcare systems but also businesses through absenteeism and reduced performance.Inequalities worsen health outcomes
Socioeconomic inequalities are ranked fourth among the threats. Poor populations face compounded risks, including limited access to healthcare and unsafe living conditions, which exacerbate health vulnerabilities.Global health research imbalance
The report points out that 84% of global health research funding goes to rich countries, while regions like Asia and Africa bear the heaviest economic costs from health issues.Child malnutrition and future generations
Child malnutrition is identified as a major threat, as it undermines the health and productivity of future generations, creating a cycle of poverty and poor health that is difficult to break.Health threats beyond the medical field
Armed conflicts, air pollution, and mental health issues extend beyond the health sector, affecting economies through disrupted supply chains, reduced life expectancy, and increased healthcare costs.Unhealthy aging and pension systems
Unhealthy aging poses a significant challenge to pension and social protection systems, especially in Europe and Asia, where populations are aging rapidly.Massive extinction risks
Two threats, the malicious use of artificial intelligence and a nuclear conflict, have the potential to cause massive global harm. AI could be used to create biological weapons, while a nuclear war could trigger a global famine.Climate change as a metarisk
Climate change is described as a metarisk, meaning it amplifies all other threats. The report emphasizes that the 3 million heat-related deaths between 2016 and 2023 are only a fraction of the overall cost.Fossil fuels still dominant
Despite increasing investments in clean energy, 80% of the world's energy still comes from fossil fuels. The report calls for urgent action to shift toward sustainable energy sources.Need for new economic models
Current economic models struggle to account for long-term health risks. Companies and governments must integrate public health into their planning to address rising costs and prevent future crises.COP 31 and climate-health alignment
The report is published ahead of COP 31 in November 2026, a critical moment to align climate goals with health needs. The focus is now on when and how intensely these threats will manifest.
