The growing links between climate change and human health are attracting increasing attention from researchers, with new studies highlighting not only the indirect effects of global warming, but also the potential direct impact of rising CO2 concentrations on human health.

In a recent LinkedIn post, Nicolas Jeanmart, Head of personal & general insurance, member of the leadership group at Insurance Europe, pointed to the latest edition of the Lancet Countdown Europe report on health and climate change, published earlier this month, as well as to newly released research examining the effects of atmospheric CO2 concentrations on the human body.

According to the cited study, higher CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere may lead to increased blood bicarbonate levels, raising potential health concerns. Researchers warn that, if the current trend continues, healthy thresholds could be exceeded within the next 50 years.

Jeanmart stressed that the findings add further urgency to efforts aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while also reinforcing the idea that climate change should no longer be viewed solely as a “physical risk” affecting property insurance.

“Climate change is increasingly likely to affect all lines of business, including general, life and health insurance,” he noted.

The 2026 edition of the Lancet Countdown Europe report highlights several alarming trends, including a marked increase in the direct and indirect health impacts of heat exposure, rising food insecurity across Europe, and the growing climatic suitability for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. The report also underlines the uneven distribution of climate-related risks and vulnerabilities across regions and population groups.