In 2024, the earth’s temperature exceeded the 1.5°C threshold (above pre-industrial levels) for the first time – a threshold that was set to avert the impacts of climate change. The climate crisis is here, and its impacts are worsening. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and shifting ecosystems are directly affecting public health, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where already-limited healthcare infrastructure is under increasing strain.
As the climate crisis accelerates, the world’s most vulnerable populations bear the brunt of its effects, facing increased health risks and dwindling resources. It is clear that the health of the planet is inextricably linked to the health of its people. To find solutions, we must engage and empower the communities most affected.
Growing Health Threats from Climate Change
Climate change is intensifying a wide range of health challenges, including heat-related illnesses, vector- and water-borne diseases, mental health crises, and malnutrition. The consequences are particularly alarming in Asia, where changing monsoon patterns and rising temperatures have contributed to the resurgence of dengue fever and malaria, with even more severe outbreaks projected in the coming decades.
Air pollution—exacerbated by climate change—remains a major health threat, with studies linking it to increased cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations.
The overall impact is devastating. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 13 million deaths annually are linked to environmental factors, including climate change. In Asia, the direct health consequences of rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and natural disasters—such as typhoons, floods, and droughts—are particularly severe.
Addressing the Gap
LMICs, particularly in Asia, face unique challenges in tackling climate-related health crises. Limited financial resources and healthcare infrastructure make it difficult to respond to the increasing burden of climate-induced health issues. Yet, local communities are often the first to experience these impacts, making them essential players in developing and implementing solutions.
Local health workers—mainly the first responders to climate-related health emergencies—are pivotal in this fight. They deliver life-saving treatments, educate communities, and implement solutions that are both contextually relevant and sustainable. Their firsthand knowledge and experience are invaluable in shaping targeted interventions.
As one local health worker shared, “What we know, we know because we are here every day. We are part of the community and we know that climate change is a threat to the health of the communities we serve. We are already having to manage the impacts of climate change on health. We are doing the best we can, but we need your support.”
Participatory Research: Engaging Communities on the Frontlines
One of the key initiatives aimed at addressing the intersection of climate and health is the Climate and Health Survey launched by Grand Challenges Canada and its partners. This survey seeks to engage local communities, particularly in LMICs, to identify the most pressing climate-related health challenges and explore community-driven solutions.
The survey’s objectives are clear:
- Gather data reflecting the lived experiences of those most affected by climate change.
- Use this data to inform decision-making processes at local and global levels.
- Ensure that solutions are scientifically sound, culturally appropriate, and community-driven.
The survey methodology includes interviews with local health workers, community-focused workshops, and data collection. The findings will help generate actionable recommendations for policymakers, international organisations, and community leaders.
In addition, quantitative survey data, combined with qualitative insights from a global convening of healthcare workers, will be reviewed by a global panel of climate and health experts convened by Grand Challenges Canada.
Why is this survey important?
By centering local voices and experiences, the survey will provide critical information to shape policies, interventions, and funding decisions. At a time when global health challenges can feel overwhelming, this initiative offers hope—an opportunity for global collaboration based on local knowledge and action.
The time to act is now. We invite health professionals, policymakers, community leaders, and researchers to participate in the survey and share it with relevant people.
Together, we can ensure that those most at risk are not left behind as the climate crisis escalates. The power of this survey lies not just in the data it gathers, but in the action it inspires.
Through local solutions and global solidarity, we can address climate-related health challenges and build a more resilient future for all.
Let’s embrace the potential of participatory research, amplify the voices of those on the frontlines, and work toward a world where climate and health are tackled hand in hand—for the benefit of future generations.
