The researchers reviewed 1740 papers and reports which show increasing interest in the impact of climate change on public health in Russia:

They were stimulated by the World Climate Change Conference held in Moscow in 2003 with the support of the United Nations and other international organizations, including WHO. The same year, the first review of foreign literature on the problem of climate change impact on public health was published [28]. Next year, the workshop “Climate Change and Public Health in Russia in the 21st Century” with the publication of collected papers dealing with this problem was held in the Presidium of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences [10].

Revich, B.A. Climate Change Impact on Public Health in Russia: Priority Areas for Adaptation (Analytical Review). Russ. Meteorol. Hydrol. 49, 91–98 (2024). https://doi.org/10.3103/S1068373924020018 ,

Areas such as mortality risk from strokes and heart disease, affected by higher temperature, has been researched for over 2 decades. Roshydromet produces regular research and advice. Citizens in southern subArctic, or Arctic communities further north are more vulnerable because of their physiology and genetic characteristics, alongside less developed social infrastructure in some areas.

Another priority is reduction of air pollution which is the fourth highest mortality risk (after blood pressure, smoking, malnutrition). In the last few years, this includes black carbon and additional pollution in Siberian regions from wildfires. Zoonotic diseases have increased across Russia, particularly from ticks and mosquitoes. Alongside insects, plants have continued to spread northward, increasing pollen and related allergies or symptoms.

The mental health of northern Sami groups in Finland has decreased with global warming but research in Russian regions is not as widely known (at least in global English language publications). Across Northern Russian regions, researchers found that physiological risks have been researched, analysing factors such as daily temperatures and mortality, which was higher during shorter heat waves.

Global warming has increased risks from food borne infections, melting permafrost and glacial regions but the factors are more complex to imply direct causation yet for some specific cardiovascular and pulmonary risks. The researchers believe that the existing studies can help with planning adaptation for provision of services and infrastructure, alongside improving public health.

Revich, B.A. Climate Change Impact on Public Health in Russia: Priority Areas for Adaptation (Analytical Review). Russ. Meteorol. Hydrol. 49, 91–98 (2024). https://doi.org/10.3103/S1068373924020018 ,