While it has become clear that environmental issues affect many aspects of our daily lives, their influence on health is today more measurable than ever.
A study published by Accenture in 2023 already highlighted policyholders’ perception of the link between the environment and health. But since then, the data has grown richer and confirms one reality: the effects of climate change on health are no longer theoretical, they are already very much present.
How do environmental problems affect health?
Ever greater exposure
In France, nearly 78.8 % of adults report having faced an extreme climate event (heatwave, floods, storms and so on) over the past two years.
Among them:
- 37.2 % report physical impacts
- 22.5 % report psychological impacts
Very real health consequences
The impacts mentioned in the Accenture study (chronic illnesses, respiratory disorders, emerging viruses) are part of a trend confirmed across Europe:
- In 2024, more than 62,000 deaths were linked to heat in Europe
- Climate change has led to a 63 % rise in heat-related deaths since the 1990s
These phenomena are explained in particular by the intensification of heatwaves, now identified as the leading cause of mortality linked to climate events in Europe.
A growing impact on mental health
Beyond physical health, the consequences for mental health are increasingly well documented.
Stress, anxiety, eco-anxiety or depressive disorders: climate events and their repetition create lasting psychological pressure. Recent reports emphasise that the link between climate and mental health is now a major public health issue.
An accelerating phenomenon
Recent climate data reinforces this finding:
- 2024 is the first year to exceed +1.5°C of global warming
- In France, the average temperature has already risen by +2.1°C compared with the early 20th century
These developments show that the impacts on health will continue to intensify in the years to come, particularly for the most vulnerable populations (older people, children, exposed workers and so on).
What do policyholders expect from insurers?
The Accenture study highlights strong expectations on the part of policyholders:
- More prevention and awareness,
- Personalised programmes to anticipate risks,
- Better overall care (including complementary medicine),
- Concrete commitments to sustainability.
Today, these expectations make even more sense: faced with the acceleration of climate impacts, policyholders no longer expect only compensation, but support in managing and preventing health risks.
In summary
Recent data confirms that:
- Extreme climate events are increasingly frequent,
- Their impacts on physical and mental health are already visible,
- The risks will continue to rise in the years to come.
In this context, the role of insurance players is changing. It is no longer only about covering risks, but also about actively taking part in their prevention and supporting policyholders in a rapidly changing environment.
