More capacity is needed to monitor health effects and inequities, evaluate adaptation and mitigation interventions, address current under-representations of low- or middle-income countries, and translate research into effective policymaking, argues researchers and public health experts.

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.

Climate change is undermining every dimension of global health monitored, states the most recent Lancet Countdown report that is tracking the connection between health and climate change.

All around the world, human health is increasingly being impacted by global warming. In a new animation we highlight what our network of researchers and projects are working on to get more knowledge of how climate change impacts health and what evidence and knowledge is needed to tackle health risks associated with climate change.

This summer has started with unprecedented heat waves and record high temperatures in many places even before the summer solstice, giving a sign of what we can expect and the challenges it may pose for our health. Heatwaves are deadly, but the health impacts can often be prevented with the right measures. We talked to our experts to learn more.

The Climate Health African Network for Collaboration and Engagement (CHANCE), successfully conducted its first on-site meeting in Tswane, South Africa, 23-24 June gathering more than 60 onsite and more than 150 virtual attendees.

Heat waves are deadly. But there are simple actions we can all take to protect ourselves, our neighbours, our family members and friends. These include drinking water, resting in the shade, and avoiding outdoor activity in the hottest part of the day.

Join us to discuss and learn more about the health effects of climate change as we kick off the climate and health day of the European Public Health Week 2022!

The recently published report on Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability of the IPCC’s 6th Assessment Report (AR6) paints a gloomy picture of what the future may hold regarding impacts of climate change. We have looked at some of the main findings regarding the core topics of the ENBEL project – health impacts related to environmental and occupational heat, air pollution (including from wildfires), and infectious diseases.

Health specialists at the Climate Centre are analysing flows of adaptation finance and looking at how much of this funding is used for local health programming. Preliminary results from our research on national commitments and funding streams provides an insight into the landscape of climate action.

ENBEL partner get 8 million USD in new funding from the US Government to improve workers’ health and safety in the face of climate change in Central America. 

How can projects working on heat and workers health, cardiopulmonary impacts of heat and air pollution, cascading climate risks and social vulnerability and community resilience find potential synergies and joint actions?

The ENBEL project is accepted as a member of the WHO-Civil Society Working Group to advance action on Climate and Health for the next two years.

The African continent is heating up more, and faster, than other regions in the world according to the recently released State of Climate in Africa Report.

ENBEL partner Norwegian Institute of Public Health interviewed Norwegian decision-makers at local and national level about how they work with adaptation to reduce the health effects of climate change. They found no clear connection between climate adaptation and health adaptation strategies in the surveyed Norwegian municipalities.

Climate action helps protect human health. World leaders and policymakers at all levels must recognize that improved health is a clear result of reducing emissions.  We have four key science-based messages for COP26 leaders.

In this interview Isabel Proaño Gómez, Director of Policy and Communications, European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients’ Associations (EFA) talks to Vlatka Matkovic from Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) about expectations for COP26. "The climate crisis is a health crisis and patients are among the most visible victims", says Proaño Gómez. As an outcome to COP26, she would like to see more investment into research, knowledge gathering and health-oriented responses to climate change. 

Climate change and health are two of the most pressing issues facing African countries. Thus, it is imperative that people engaged in climate or health issues work together. The newly established network for climate and health in Africa, CHANCE (Climate-Health Africa Network for Collaboration and Engagement), aims to facilitate interactions and create greater coherence between these often siloed communities of practice.

ENBEL is mapping stakeholders in Europe that work on adaptation focused at reducing the health impacts of climate change, understanding interlinkages and identifying areas for action. The report will be finalised by the end of 2021.

ENBEL is currently working on disaggregating and analysing findings of ENBEL partner projects focusing on vulnerabilities and health inequalities.