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Climate Change and Health
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Climate change is one of the factors leading to such drastic changes as emergencies by heatwaves, floods, wildfires, storms, and hurricanes, and all of them are getting more widespread, frequent, and intense. Climate change poses a major hazard to human health. It affects not only the environment but also the entire range of natural and human systems, including economic and social conditions and health system functioning (1).
A scoping review emphasises that because of its complex adaptive nature, developing a climate-resilient health system requires a comprehensive and systemic approach. Building a climate-resilient health system requires strong governance and leadership, promoting public awareness, allocating resources strategically, mitigating the effects of climate change, emergency preparedness, providing robust health services, and assisting with research (2). Another scoping review of 67 publications from 30 countries between 2006 and 2025 that highlighted methods for boosting climate-related training, surge capacity, facility readiness, and continuity of care. Real-time surveillance, early warning systems, and the integration of climate-health data are health system strategies (3).
However, major challenges remain. Efforts to develop resilient health systems against climate risks are underway, but persistent challenges, including inadequate policy implementation, resource limitations, and a lack of integration of climate change into critical health domains, hinder comprehensive adaptation measures, particularly in developing nations (4). To move forward, health policy and systems research must set context-specific, fostering the development of evidence-based policies, interventions and interdisciplinary collaboration for the complexity of climate change to be tackled (5).
References:
- (2023, October 12). Climate change. Who.int; World Health Organization: WHO. //www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/climate-change-and-health
- Mosadeghrad, A. M., Isfahani, P., Eslambolchi, L., Zahmatkesh, M., & Afshari, M. (2023). Strategies to strengthen a climate-resilient health system: a scoping review. Globalization and Health, 19(1). //doi.org/10.1186/s12992-023-00965-2
- Myhre, S. L., Frønsdal, K. B., Ames, H. M. R., & Papadopoulou, E. (2025). A scoping review of climate resilient health system strategies in low-resource settings. Public Health, 249, 106026. //doi.org/10.1016/j.puhe.2025.106026
- Ansah, E. W., Amoadu, M., Obeng, P., & Sarfo, J. O. (2024). Health systems response to climate change adaptation: a scoping review of global evidence. BMC Public Health, 24(1). //doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-19459-w
World. (2022, May 25). Health policy and systems research studies to tackle the climate crisis. Who.int; World Health Organization: WHO. //ahpsr.who.int/newsroom/news/item/25-05-2022-health-policy-and-systems-research-studies-to-tackle-the-climate-crisis
Posted : November 18, 2025 10:44 am
Interesting and important topic. Indeed, climate change is no more a issue for the furture but a present health system threat, translating evidence into scalable action must surely be a global prioirty.
Posted : November 18, 2025 11:59 am
I agree that climate change is putting a lot of pressure on our health systems. Extreme heat, floods, new diseases, and poor air quality are affecting people more often. A climate-resilient health system means being prepared for these challenges so hospitals and health workers can continue providing care during emergencies.
To build resilience, health systems need strong infrastructure, better emergency plans, and early warning systems that can predict disease outbreaks linked to weather changes. Training health workers and involving communities also helps in responding quickly. Overall, making our health systems climate-resilient will protect more lives and reduce the impact of climate-related disasters.
References:
WHO (2015); IPCC (2022).
Posted : November 18, 2025 2:51 pm
Climate resilience within health systems refers to the ability of healthcare services to anticipate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from climate-related shocks such as heatwaves, floods, vector-borne disease outbreaks, and disruptions to supply chains. As extreme weather events become more frequent, integrating climate adaptation into health system planning is no longer optional—it is essential for protecting vulnerable populations. Research shows that resilient systems incorporate climate-informed surveillance, decentralized health infrastructure, and early-warning mechanisms, allowing for timely identification and management of disease threats linked to environmental changes (Ebi & Boyer, 2021). Strengthening primary healthcare and ensuring continuity of essential services during climate emergencies has been shown to reduce mortality and prevent long-term disruptions in community health (WHO, 2022).
However, climate resilience is not limited to infrastructure alone; it requires strategic governance, workforce capacity, and community engagement. Climate-smart health systems prioritize renewable energy sources, climate-proof medical supply chains, and training of healthcare workers to recognize and treat climate-sensitive conditions. Collaborative planning across sectors—such as urban planning, agriculture, and water management—supports proactive rather than reactive responses. Studies highlight that when communities are engaged in preparedness efforts and receive clear risk communication, they demonstrate higher adaptation and survival outcomes during climate disasters (Chersich et al., 2020). Investing in climate resilience today ensures that health systems remain reliable and equitable, even as environmental pressures continue to intensify.
References:
- Chersich, M. F., Wright, C. Y., Venter, F., Rees, H., Scorgie, F., & Erasmus, B. (2020). Impacts of climate change on health and wellbeing in South Africa. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(15), 5435.
- Ebi, K. L., & Boyer, C. (2021). Building climate-resilient health systems: Concepts, strategies and actions. Environmental Research, 195, 110879.
- World Health Organization. (2022). Operational framework for building climate-resilient health systems. WHO Press.
Posted : November 21, 2025 10:12 am
Climate change significantly impacts human health globally and in India, necessitating resilient health systems capable of anticipating, responding to, and recovering from climate-related shocks (World Health Organization, 2015). The WHO Operational Framework for Building Climate Resilient Health Systems provides comprehensive guidance across ten components, including leadership, health workforce development, vulnerability assessments, and climate-informed health programs (World Health Organization, 2015).
In India, the National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH), launched in 2019, addresses climate-sensitive illnesses through strengthened intersectoral governance, enhanced funding for resilient infrastructure, and capacity building at grassroots levels (Kumar et al., 2020; Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, 2019). District-level climate risk assessments reveal that India's 200,000+ healthcare facilities face growing vulnerability to extreme precipitation, heat, floods, and cyclones (Council on Energy, Environment and Water [CEEW] & UNICEF, 2025). Training healthcare providers in quality management, risk assessment, disaster management, and epidemiology remains essential (Ravindra, 2025). Globally, the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health supports countries in building climate-resilient, low-carbon, sustainable health systems (World Health Organization, 2023).
References
Council on Energy, Environment and Water, & UNICEF. (2025). How can India make its health sector climate resilient? A district-level risk assessment. //www.ceew.in/publications/how-can-india-build-healthcare-resilience-with-climate-resilient-health-systems
Kumar, A., Mahajan, N. P., Sorokhaibam, R., Sunthlia, A., Babu, B. S., Vardhan, S., Goel, S., Kumar, R., & Yadav, K. (2020). National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health-India, 2019. Journal of Communicable Diseases, 52(3), 43-48. //medical.advancedresearchpublications.com/index.php/Journal-CommunicableDiseases/article/view/265
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. (2019). National Programme on Climate Change and Human Health (NPCCHH). National Centre for Disease Control. //ncdc.mohfw.gov.in/national-programme-on-climate-change-human-health/
Ravindra, K. (2025). Strengthening India's climate-health resilience: A public health imperative. npj Climate Action, 4, 305. //doi.org/10.1038/s44168-025-00305-7
World Health Organization. (2015). Operational framework for building climate resilient health systems. //apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/189951
World Health Organization. (2023, November 9). WHO unveils framework for climate resilient and low carbon health systems. //www.who.int/news/item/09-11-2023-who-unveils-framework-for-climate-resilient-and-low-carbon-health-systems
Posted : November 24, 2025 12:28 pm