Climate change is not just an environmental issue, but a public health crisis. This was the message delivered by Victor J. Dzau, the president of the National Academy of Medicine (NAM), at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on January 18, 2023.
Dzau spoke about the urgent need to address the link between climate change and health outcomes, and the collective action required to mitigate its impacts.
The Health Risks of a Warming Planet(Photo : Lukas Schulze/Getty Images)
The effects of climate change on human health are manifold and complex. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), climate change is expected to cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year between 2030 and 2050, due to malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea, and heat stress.
Climate change also increases the risk of infectious diseases, respiratory illnesses, mental health problems, and injuries from extreme weather events.
The health impacts of climate change are not evenly distributed. They disproportionately affect the most vulnerable and marginalized populations, such as children, the elderly, the poor, and those living in low- and middle-income countries.
These groups have the least capacity to adapt to the changing environment and the least access to quality health care.
Dzau highlighted the examples of recent climate-induced disasters, such as the wildfires in Australia, the floods in Indonesia, and the locust invasion in East Africa, that have exacerbated health inequities and threatened food security.
He also pointed out the potential for climate change to trigger social unrest, conflict, and migration, which could further undermine health and human rights.
The Solutions for a Healthier Future
To tackle the health challenges posed by climate change, Dzau called for a holistic and integrated approach that involves multiple sectors and stakeholders.
He introduced a "Grand Challenge" initiative, launched by the NAM and its global partners, that aims to mobilize the scientific and health communities to develop and implement evidence-based solutions for improving health and well-being in the face of climate change.
The Grand Challenge focuses on four key areas: bridging the research gaps, enhancing the health workforce training, promoting the decarbonization of the health sector, and engaging the public and policymakers.
Dzau emphasized the importance of collaboration, innovation, and communication in advancing this initiative and achieving its goals.
He also participated in a panel discussion titled "Putting Health at the Heart of Climate Action", where he shared his perspectives on how to address the health impacts of climate change, especially for children and young people.
He stressed the need to empower the youth to be agents of change and advocates for their own health and the health of the planet.
Dzau's speech and panel discussion at Davos were part of a broader effort by the NAM and its partners to raise awareness and action on the intersection of climate and health.
By highlighting the health benefits of mitigating climate change, they hope to inspire a sense of urgency and optimism for creating a healthier and more sustainable future for all.
Moving in the direction of resistance and resilience
The report recommended that health systems concentrate on two areas: resilience, or the capacity to stop, lessen, or postpone the effects of climate change, and recuperation, or the capacity to recover quickly.
Speakers recommended that communities think about capacity building, creative R&D, ongoing evidence collection, policy integration, infrastructure resilience, disease surveillance and response, and adaptation planning in order to become climate resilient.
Forecasting tasks like the development of novel treatments or diagnostics or guaranteeing improved access and manufacturing capabilities are examples of adaptation strategies.
Participation in the community and knowledge sharing can also help with this. Identification of risk factors and collaboration across all stakeholders will be necessary in order to develop solutions for health systems that are climate resilient.
Pharma and medtech are important players in this, as they are working on better drug delivery methods, monitoring tools, and diagnostics that are necessary for readiness. According to the report, this will allow for early detection and intervention, which will improve outcomes.
However, hospitals and clinics can contribute to the development of resilience and resistance. Preventive education and therapies for groups at risk, social determinant analysis through diagnostics, and mobile clinics to keep patients accessible are all practical measures to combat resistance.
Offering a wide range of treatment options, providing continual resource training and upskilling with the newest treatments, and having an emergency services readiness plan are all steps toward recovery.