In 2023 alone, people experienced an average of 50 additional days of health-threatening temperatures due to climate change. Nearly half of the world faced severe drought. At the same time, 61% of global land areas saw an increase in extreme precipitation events, contributing to heightened food insecurity for 151 million more people compared to previous decades.
From heatwaves and vector-borne diseases to food insecurity, the cascading impacts of the climate crisis are intensifying health vulnerabilities worldwide. These escalating risks highlight the urgent need for effective disaster risk management (DRM) to protect vulnerable populations and mitigate health threats.
The six actionable DRM strategies below prioritize prevention, collaboration, and resilience-building to address the health impacts of climate change.
1. Quantify the cost of inaction
Quantifying the impacts of climate change on economies and health systems can drive action and assist in effective allocation of resources. By calculating metrics like years of life lost (YLL) and the financial burden caused by health-related hazards – such as vector-borne diseases, extreme heat impacts, and waterborne illnesses – authorities can better gauge the needs of the populace. These data-driven insights provide a foundation for prioritizing prevention and adaptation strategies, ensuring that resources are directed to the most vulnerable communities and regions.
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2. Integrate health into DRR policies
To build resilience we need to embed health considerations into DRM policies. This involves establishing health-centric risk governance mechanisms; incorporating health risks into data monitoring and early warning systems; and strengthening the health aspects of recovery plans and “build back better” initiatives. A multi-sectoral, all-hazards approach better prepares health systems to manage all kinds of emergencies and disease outbreaks – including those triggered by climate change.
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3. Foster cross-sector collaboration
Climate change intersects with tourism and health to create interconnected risks – and this requires a cross-sectoral approach in seeking solutions. Climate-related events impact health of both locals and tourist; and health emergencies like disease outbreaks can jeopardize economically valuable tourism sectors. Integrating health and tourism surveillance systems and promoting the decarbonization of services in both sectors, for example, can reduce vulnerabilities and support sustainable development. Building regional coordination mechanisms and capacity-building programs can further strengthen resilience, enabling sectors to work together effectively to mitigate climate-related risks and to safeguard tourism, health, and economic stability.
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4. Empower communities with local solutions
Locally led adaptation efforts are key to addressing the unique health impacts of climate change in vulnerable regions. Community-driven initiatives like adapting to food insecurity or managing cholera outbreaks, foster solutions that are tailored to local needs. Increased adaptation financing and robust national adaptation plans empower communities to take proactive steps in mitigating health risks while addressing the root causes of vulnerability.
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5. Promote inclusion and equity in health interventions
Children and young people are more vulnerable than ever. In South Asia, by the 2050s, four times as many children could be exposed to extreme heatwaves as today. Despite this, young people remain largely excluded from national climate plans in the region – Nepal is the only country in the region to adopt a child-sensitive approach. Addressing health disparities requires inclusive approaches that prioritize marginalized groups, including children, women, and displaced populations. Governments must integrate these groups into climate policies, increase dedicated funding, and adapt disaster management systems to meet their needs. We must collect better data on climate impacts on vulnerable populations to support more effective and equitable interventions, ensuring no one is left behind.
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6. Strengthen climate-resilient health infrastructure
Climate-resilient health systems are the cornerstones of disaster preparedness and response. A range of initiatives can lower hospital carbon emissions while supporting continuity of health services during extreme events: like Nigeria’s mobile clinics in flood-affected regions, or its telemedicine services; like India’s solar-powered hospitals; or eco-friendly facilities such as rooftop farms in the U.S. Sustainable infrastructure investments strengthen the ability of health systems to withstand climate shocks, while providing continuous care to those affected.
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As described in this article, prioritizing actions, such as calculating the cost of inactivity, emphasizes urgency and effectively allocates resources. At the same time, integrating health into disasters risk reduction policies ensures that resilience planning prioritizes health considerations. Cross-sector collaboration bridges gaps between sectors, allowing for comprehensive solutions to interconnected concerns, while empowering communities encourages grassroots innovation and makes solutions more culturally acceptable. Finally, establishing climate-resilient health infrastructure lays a solid platform for reacting to present and future hazards, while also encouraging inclusion and equity to guarantee that no vulnerable group is left behind.
By adopting these six actionable DRM strategies, we can effectively mitigate climate-health threats, protect vulnerable populations, and take a crucial step toward a safer, more resilient, and equitable future.
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