For the international scientific community, it is undoubted that planetary temperature is increasing, being projected an average raise of 1.0 degrees C-3.5 degrees C by the year 2100. Forecasted consequences are diverse, most of them adverse for human health, including the establishment of favorable epidemiological scenarios for the emergence and reemergence of infectious diseases. The present article summarizes the available evidence regarding the mechanisms that promote climate change, its environmental effects and its consequences on human health. In order to accomplish this objective, demonstrated changes in the dynamics of zoonotic, vectorial, food and water-borne diseases are described. The position of Chile in the international community is commented, as well as multiple pending challenges, among which outstands the importance of incorporating professionals that work in the health sector to the national debate.