ENVIRONMENT

• According to OECD's 2017 Health People, Healthy Planet report, emissions of air pollutants from increasing residential, retail and industrial buildings will affect health and healthcare costs.
• For example, emissions of nitrogen oxide and ammonia are expected to increase by 82% and 56% by 2060.
•  Cities are also estimated to emit 60% of greenhouse gases, where 66% of the world's population are expected to live in by 2050.
• Yearly carbon dioxide emissions of private vehicles will also grow at an estimated 17% by 2050.
• The growth in air pollution is expected to drive healthcare costs as well in the future.
•  Climate change is another environmental factor affecting future healthcare costs.
• The report states that extreme weather events such as tropical storms and floods will "have public health implications, such as foodborne and waterborne diseases, food insecurity, drownings, mental health impacts and destruction of medical facilities."
• Weather-related disasters are expected to affect two-thirds of Europeans by the year 2100 and claim an additional 150,000 deaths per year.
•  Extreme temperatures are also expected to claim extra 13,000 deaths in the US by 2100.
• Populations who are vulnerable to health impacts from climate change include infants and children, elderly people, patients with chronic diseases, low-wage workers, pregnant women, and outdoor workers who are exposed to the elements.

LIFESTYLE

•  Food waste as well as overconsumption of food affects the environment as well as healthcare costs.
•  Unsustainable production of food pollutes water and air, and contributes to soil degradation.
•  Overfishing and intensive farm fishing also puts a strain on ecosystem as well as releasing chemicals in water sources.
•  Excessive use of antibiotics in livestock and fish can lead to antimicrobial resistance in both animals and humans.
• Use of organophosphate pesticides is estimated to cost the European Union €146 billion a year through intellectual disability and loss of IQ, according to the WHO.
• OECD also reported that individuals in high-income countries consume twice as many calories than is recommended.
•  Overconsumption of meat and sugar increases the risk of obesity as well as diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, stroke, cancer, and heart diseases.
•  Unhealthy lifestyles affect both adults and children, and is a driver of future healthcare costs if left unchecked.
• Additionally, second-hand tobacco smoke affects health of children according to the World Health Organization.

HEALTH AND THE ECONOMY

• The OECD linked growing economic activity to the rise of air pollution around the globe which in turn drives healthcare costs.
• Additionally, WHO reported that rapid urbanization along with global trade and increased mobility drives resurgence of diseases such as dengue to which children are particularly at risk.
• Unsustainable practices to aid economic growth such as child labor will affect future healthcare costs as children are exposed to hazardous labor.
•  Inequality in socioeconomic status within and among nations also affect children and future healthcare costs.
•  Economic impacts on vulnerable populations will affect future healthcare costs as resources and income opportunity become potential sources of conflict.