- October 10, 2024
- Posted by: IHVN
- Category: Latest
New York, 13 September 2024 — A pivotal session at the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA79) Science Summit brought together global health and climate experts to explore cutting edge solutions to the growing health impacts of climate change, particularly in resource-constrained settings. The session, titled “Exploring Novel Solutions for Tracking and Adapting to the Health Impacts of Climate Change in Resource-Constrained Settings”, was convened by Dr Michelle Skelton (DS-I Africa) and moderated by Dr Chewe Luo, a former senior UNICEF official, concluding with a panel discussion chaired by Professor Alash’le Abimiku (Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, INFORM Africa). It featured key insights from leading researchers and international practitioners.
Opening Remarks: The Urgency of Climate Action
Dr Luo kicked off the session with a compelling address, highlighting the increasingly dire consequences of climate change on global health. “Climate change is no longer an abstract concern; it’s a reality, and it’s hitting the most vulnerable populations the hardest. Pregnant women, children, and those in low-resource settings are facing unprecedented challenges,” she stressed. Dr Luo called for swift, co-ordinated global action to prevent a public health catastrophe and build resilience against further climate-driven health impacts.
Key Speaker Contributions: Health, Data, and Climate Financing
The first presentation was delivered by Dr Tatenda Makanga of the Centre for Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Research (CeSHHAR) Zimbabwe, who highlighted the effects of climate change on pregnant women and children. Referencing findings from the HE2AT Center and CHEAQI-MNCH projects, Dr Makanga revealed alarming statistics, such as a 26% increase in odds of preterm birth following heatwaves and a 4% rise in odds of preterm birth for every 1°C increase in ambient temperature. “We need urgent, evidence-based interventions to protect maternal, newborn, and child health from climate-induced threats,” stated Dr Makanga.
Dr Nicholas Brink from the HE2AT Center and Wits Planetary Health Research (Wits PHR) continued the discussion, emphasising the need for robust impact assessments and health indicators tailored to monitor climate-related health outcomes. “By developing precise health indicators, such as those tracking preterm births caused by climate change, we can measure the true cost of inaction and push for stronger policies,” Dr Brink remarked. He further outlined innovative data science approaches being developed to help high-risk regions monitor health outcomes in real-time.
Closing the presentations, Andrew Storey of the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) discussed the critical role of climate financing and the urgent need for integration within existing health systems. Storey presented Uganda’s Health-National Adaptation Plan (H-NAP) as a case study for how countries can integrate climate resilience into health strategies. “Uganda’s H-NAP serves as a blueprint for others, showing how national programs can evolve to meet climate challenges head-on while protecting maternal and newborn health,” Storey highlighted.
Panel Discussion: Collaboration and Scaling Solutions
Chaired by Prof. Abimiku (INFORM Africa), a robust panel discussion delved deeper into strategies for scaling climate-health interventions.
Panelists included Anayda Portela (WHO), Ijeoma Solarin (Wits PHR), Dr Brad Newsome (NIH), and Dr Chenfeng Xiong (INFORM Africa). The panel examined how interdisciplinary collaboration, enhanced funding, and government leadership are key to implementing these innovative solutions at scale. Prof. Abimiku emphasised, “We must prioritise these interventions to not only address health impacts but to build a framework for resilience in vulnerable communities.
Conclusion: The Need for Global Coordination
The session at UNGA79 underscored the urgent need for global co-operation in tracking and adapting to the health impacts of climate change. It emphasised data-driven solutions, the importance of financing adaptation, and the need for strong partnerships between governments, researchers, and international organisations.
The session was part of the UNGA79 Science Summit, which brings together world leaders, scientists, and policymakers to explore science-based solutions for the world’s most pressing challenges.
A recording of the session can be rewatched here.
Acknowledgements
This session was made possible by DS-I Africa, an NIH-funded initiative dedicated to harnessing data science and innovation to address global challenges. Since 2021, DS-I Africa has partnered with the NIH to tackle critical health challenges affecting maternal and child health, communicable and non-communicable diseases, and more. These efforts align with achieving the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This support highlights the vital role data science plays in developing scalable solutions to combat climate change’s health impacts.
In collaboration with DS-I Africa, Wits PHR is committed to leveraging data science to advance public health solutions in Africa. Wits PHR is dedicated to advancing understanding of the interactions between human health and the environment. Through cutting-edge research, innovative solutions, and strategic partnerships, Wits PHR seeks to address the growing impacts of climate change on public health, especially in vulnerable and resource-constrained settings.
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