FINDING 2.6: Climate change is impacting the geographic distribution of disease and, in many instances, its intensity. As disease vectors change their distribution, the result is larger populations at risk. In addition, previously unexposed populations may be more severely affected, particularly when they carry the burdens of malnutrition and chronic disease.

RECOMMENDATION 2.6: U.S. naval leadership should consider the impact of changing disease vectors on the population when forecasting the impact of climate change, and should also consider climate-change-related changing disease vectors in preparing troops for response to missions around the globe.