Climate crisis poses ‘growing threat’ to health in UK, says expert

Exclusive: Prof Dame Jenny Harries warns of dangers to food security, flooding and insect-borne diseases

The climate crisis poses a significant and growing threat" to health in the UK, the country's most senior public health expert has warned.

Speaking to the Guardian, Prof Dame Jenny Harries, the chief executive of the UK Health Security Agency, said there was a common misconception that a warmer climate would bring net health benefits due to milder winters. But the climate emergency would bring far wider-reaching health impacts, she said, with food security, flooding and mosquito-borne diseases posing threats.