Neurological Diseases: Climate Change

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has assessed the health impacts of rising temperatures through its Climate Change and Mental Health thematic assessment and the Adverse Weather and Health Plan Supporting Evidence 2024. These identify that people with neurological and cognitive conditions are at increased risk during heat events, with high confidence evidence for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. UKHSA heat mortality monitoring reports for England also show significant heat-associated mortality in people with dementia and Alzheimer’s, including an estimated 254 heat-associated deaths in 2025. These assessments underpin the UKHSA’s heat-health alerts, guidance, and preparedness actions to mitigate risks from increasing temperatures.

The Department funds research through the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR has invested, and is continuing to invest, in research related to human health and climate change. The NIHR welcomes applications on any aspect of health and social care, including neurological conditions such as epilepsy.

Specifically on the impact of global temperatures on those with neurological conditions, the NIHR, through its infrastructure, has supported a number of projects investigating the impact of air pollution on neurological conditions such as stroke and dementia. Between 2020/21 and 2024/25, £441,327 was committed to this research.

The NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Climate Change and Health Security, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, is carrying out research to support decision-making relating to the health impacts of climate change. This includes assessing the impact of climate change on the health of high-risk groups.

In addition, the NIHR and UK Research and Innovation are providing £42 million of funding to seven new transdisciplinary research hubs which will explore ways to ensure the United Kingdom’s transition to Net Zero also protects and promotes physical and mental health.