Climate change and health at the 15th European Public Health Conference in Berlin
A broad range of topics related to environment, climate and health were discussed when researchers, policymakers and practitioners met for the European Public Health conference recently. Our colleagues were there and share their reflections on how the topic of climate change and health featured at the conference.
By Sonja Myhre, Norwegian Institute of Public Health and Vlatka Matkovic, HEAL
The 15th European Public Health Conference convened in Berlin for the first in person meeting since 2019. More than 2500 delegates from over 80 countries around the world gathered in Berlin to focus on this year’s conference theme, “Strengthening Health Systems: Improving Population heath, and being prepared for the unexpected.” The aim of EPH conferences is to provide a platform for researchers, policy makers, and practitioners in public health-related fields to exchange information and network with new colleagues and old acquaintances.
“Climate change is the root of health crises”
Dr. Reinhard Busse, chair of the EPH conference, delivered sobering opening comments on the public health challenges facing our world today including the war in Ukraine, the Covid-19 pandemic, and devastating floods in Pakistan. (See Opening Plenary photo above). Dr. Busse’s comments were followed by Germany’s Minister of Health, Dr. Karl Lauterbach, who offered strong support for public health work. Among a host of public health challenges, he stated that climate change was “the root of health crises.” Thus, this statement set the stage for presentations and workshops dedicated to climate change and health scheduled during the next three days.
Environment, climate and health track
Navigating the conference program required strategic planning. (See photo of full conference program below.) The organizers, however, provided an app, a 172 page programme book(let), and an enormous, color-coded poster depicting plenaries, presentations, and posters in an easy to understand format. The ‘Environment, climate and health’ track (purple column #5) featured workshops and sessions dedicated to a broad range of topics including One Health, climate friendly and sustainable urban planning and design, planetary health, the role of national public health institutes, mental health issues, air pollution, cardiovascular disease, heat, nutrition, food security, and law and litigation.
The purple column (number 5) is the ‘Environment, climate and health’ track at the European Public Health Conference 2022.
Climate change and urban planning
Several workshops focused on the impact of the urban environment given that more than half of the world lives in urban settings and is projected to increase to 70 percent by 2050. To address urban challenges such as air, noise, and light pollution, solutions such as green and blue spaces, walkable cities, and public art were discussed. Barcelona’s innovative superblock model which offers a climate-friendly design approach that reduces traffic in city blocks thereby promoting pedestrian walking, cycling and shopping was also mentioned. Other planning concepts included Krakaw’s ‘pocket parks’ and ‘cities of proximity’ meaning that basic needs are within a 15 minute walking range. Putting theory into practice, the Pre-Conference program offered attendees the opportunity to participate in a walking experience in Berlin as shown in the photo below.
Posters and more…
In addition to the extensive live program, 28 climate change and health poster displays were available for viewing during breaks and before and after sessions. Poster topics included climate legal tools, temperature related infectious disease mortality, air and PM pollution, temperature and cardiovascular disease, and community action in the Caribbean as displayed in the photo below.
Sonja L. Myhre presented a poster about climate change, community action and health in the Caribbean based on work in the Belmont Forum project Community collective action to respond to climate change influencing the environment-health nexus (CCCEHN).
Prior to the conference, EUPHA committed with a joint statement together with ASPHER on moving towards the right to ‘health for all’ by training the public health and wider health workforce on climate change and health “Climate action through public health education and training”.
The conference organizers were committed to choosing climate friendly alternatives to reduce the environmental impact of the conference. Several steps were taken to minimize impact such as serving climate-friendly foods such as fruits and vegetables and leaner meats and seafood rather than beef or meat. Meals and snacks were served on re-usable tableware and water was available at dispensers throughout the conference to minimize waste. These choices provide an inspiring model for how even large conferences can be conducted in climate and cost-efficient ways. Well done!