Sustainability Nexus: Integrated Approaches for Climate Change and Global Health

Introduction:

Global health challenges continue to persist as outlined in reports published by WHO and UNICEF, with communicable and non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health, access to healthcare, mental health, and health workforce shortages being significant concerns. However, one overarching threat looms over all these challenges - climate change as highlighted by WEF and COP28's call to action to address the "Triple Planetary Crisis". As the world grapples with rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and changing disease patterns, the negative impact of climate change on global public health becomes increasingly evident. In this article, we will explore how climate change affects each of the Sustainable Development Goal 3 Indicators (#SDG 3), highlighting the urgent need for action.

1. Indicator 3.1.1: Maternal mortality ratio:

Climate change indirectly impacts maternal mortality by increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. Disrupted healthcare systems, limited access to maternal healthcare services, and increased risks during pregnancy and childbirth are some of the consequences. Additionally, climate change exacerbates existing health conditions, such as respiratory diseases, posing additional risks to pregnant women.

2. Indicator 3.2.1: Under-five mortality rate:

Climate change affects under-five mortality rates through various pathways. Rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns increase water scarcity and reduce access to clean water, contributing to the spread of waterborne diseases and malnutrition. Extreme weather events also cause displacement, disrupt healthcare services, and increase children's risk of injuries and infectious diseases.

3. Indicator 3.3.1: Number of new HIV infections per 1,000 uninfected population, by sex, age, and key populations:

Climate change indirectly influences the number of new HIV infections by disrupting healthcare systems and increasing vulnerability to disease. Extreme weather events damage healthcare infrastructure, interrupt the supply of antiretroviral drugs, and displace populations, leading to reduced access to HIV prevention and treatment services. Climate change-induced migration and displacement also increase the risk of HIV transmission in affected communities.

4. Indicator 3.4.1: Mortality rate attributed to cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease:

Climate change worsens air quality, primarily through increased concentrations of pollutants like particulate matter and ozone. Exposure to poor air quality is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, and certain types of cancer. Climate change also alters disease vectors and increases the prevalence of infectious diseases contributing to chronic conditions.

5. Indicator 3.5.1: Coverage of essential health services:

Climate change disrupts healthcare infrastructure, supply chains, and workforce availability, impacting the coverage of essential health services. Extreme weather events damage healthcare facilities, making it challenging to provide services. Climate change-induced resource scarcity, such as water scarcity, limits the availability of essential services like sanitation and hygiene, which are crucial for preventing disease transmission.

6. Indicator 3.6.1: Death rate due to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)-related diseases:

Climate change impacts the death rate due to WASH-related diseases by altering water availability and quality. Changes in precipitation patterns lead to droughts or floods, affecting water sources and sanitation systems. Reduced access to clean water and sanitation facilities increases the risk of waterborne diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid fever, resulting in higher mortality rates.

7. Indicator 3.7.1: Proportion of the population with access to affordable medicines and vaccines:

Climate change indirectly affects the proportion of the population with access to affordable medicines and vaccines by disrupting supply chains and increasing healthcare costs—extreme weather events damage pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities, leading to shortages and increased essential medicines and vaccine prices. The impacts of climate change on agriculture also affect the availability and affordability of food, indirectly impacting healthcare costs and access to medications.

8. Indicator 3.8.1: Coverage of essential health services, including financial risk protection:

Climate change increases healthcare costs and reduces the availability of services, impacting the coverage of essential health services and financial risk protection. Extreme weather events increase healthcare expenses due to injuries, infectious diseases, and emergency response needs. These costs strain healthcare systems and limit service availability, particularly for vulnerable populations facing financial barriers to healthcare access.

9. Indicator 3.9.1: Mortality rate attributed to unsafe water, unsafe sanitation, and lack of hygiene:

Climate change exacerbates water scarcity and compromises water quality, impacting the mortality rate attributed to unsafe water, sanitation, and lack of hygiene. Changes in precipitation patterns lead to droughts, reducing the availability of clean water sources. Communities are forced to rely on unsafe water sources, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases and related mortality. Extreme weather events also damage sanitation infrastructure, contributing to poor hygiene practices and disease transmission.

Solutions

There are several solutions that could address this "Triple Planetary Crisis", however we will only highlight a few:

1) Harmonizing Global Health Diplomacy and Climate Diplomacy Efforts:

It is crucial to harmonize global health diplomacy and climate diplomacy efforts to address the interconnections between global health and climate change. There are several pathways for harmonization, including policy-making, regulatory frameworks, partnerships, advocacy, and leveraging deep tech.

a) Integrated Policies and Strategies: Governments and international organizations should develop integrated policies and strategies recognizing health and climate change interdependencies. This effort should include aligning the objectives and targets of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and #SDG 13 (Climate Action) to ensure a cohesive approach.

b) Collaborative Partnerships: Foster collaboration between health and climate sectors at the global, regional, and national levels. International, multi-stakeholder, and multi-disciplinary partnerships could launch new joint initiatives, optimize knowledge sharing, and increase capacity building to address the common challenges climate change poses on public health.

c) Joint Advocacy: Advocate for integrating health considerations in climate change negotiations and vice versa. This can be done through joint statements, policy briefs, and participation in international forums to ensure that health and climate change are equally crucial in global agendas.

2) New Regulatory and Tax Frameworks:

New regulatory and tax frameworks can be implemented to incentivize sustainable practices and mitigate the negative impacts of climate change on public health. Experts proposed solutions include

a) Carbon Pricing: Implement carbon pricing mechanisms such as carbon taxes or cap-and-trade systems to encourage industries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The revenue generated could fund climate change adaptation and mitigation measures, including those related to public health.

b) Environmental Regulations: Strengthen environmental regulations to reduce pollution and promote sustainable practices. This can include stricter emission standards, rules on waste management, and regulations promoting renewable energy sources.

c) Health Impact Assessments: Integrate health impact assessments into decision-making processes for net zero infrastructure projects, policies, and regulations. This approach would ensure that potential health risks and benefits are considered and addressed, particularly in vulnerable communities.

3) Leveraging Deep Tech:

Deep tech can play a significant role in addressing the challenges climate change poses to public health. Some examples include:

a) Digital Twins: Use digital twin technology to model and simulate the impact of climate change on public health. These virtual replicas can help identify vulnerable populations, predict disease outbreaks, and inform targeted interventions and resource allocation.

b) Artificial Intelligence (AI): Leverage AI algorithms to analyze large datasets and identify patterns and trends related to climate change and public health. This can aid in the early detection of disease outbreaks, optimize healthcare resource allocation, and support decision-making processes.

c) Blockchain: Blockchain technology enhances transparency, traceability, and accountability in climate change and health-related initiatives. Blockchain's capabilities can be instrumental in tracking vaccine distribution, ensuring health data integrity, and facilitating international collaborations.

d) Edge Computing, 5G and 6G: Deploy edge computing and high speed networks to enable real-time data collection, analysis, and communication in remote and resource-constrained areas. Highspeed computing on the edge can support early warning systems, telemedicine, and remote monitoring of environmental factors affecting public health.

e) Satellite Internet: Expand access to satellite internet in underserved areas to bridge the digital divide and enable remote healthcare services, telemedicine, and real-time monitoring of climate-related health risks.

By harnessing the potential of deep tech, governments, organizations, and communities can enhance their capacity to address the complex challenges at the intersection of climate change and public health. These technologies can facilitate data-driven decision-making, improve resource allocation, and enable innovative solutions to mitigate the impacts of climate change on global health.

Conclusion

Climate change poses a significant threat to global public health, impacting each of the SDG 3 indicators. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and changing disease patterns have far-reaching consequences, from maternal and child health to access to healthcare and the prevalence of infectious diseases. Urgent action is needed to mitigate climate change and build resilient healthcare systems that can adapt to these challenges. By addressing climate change, we can safeguard global public health and work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.