Latest news with #ClimateChangeandHealth
Scoop
15-05-2025
- Health
- Scoop
World Health Assembly: Health Professionals Demand Urgent Action On Climate Commitments
Geneva, 15 May 2025:- Ahead of next week's 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78), the Global Climate and Health Alliance (GCHA) is calling on all 194 World Health Organization (WHO) member states to urgently step up cross-sector cooperation on climate and health, and to implement last year's resolution on Climate Change and Health. 'With three formal discussions relevant to climate change scheduled for next week, this World Health Assembly must ensure that governments recognise and respond to the profound role that climate change and its primary driver, fossil fuels, now play in determining health outcomes for people around the world', said Global Climate and Health Alliance Executive Director Dr Jeni Miller. Following last year's adoption of a World Health Assembly resolution on Climate Change and Health, the assembly is expected to adopt a global action plan (GAP) to take forward government commitments, and translate the resolution into action. Over the past year, WHO has consulted member states, as well as academia, community groups and civil society. Key strengths of the most recent draft available of the GAP are a call for member states to integrate health into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) (countries' national climate commitments under the Paris Agreement) and integrate climate into national health strategies, policies and plans; a strong focus on maximising the health co-benefits of mitigation and adaptation activities across different government sectors; and a commitment to engage communities and civil society organisations in the development, implementation and evaluation of climate and health strategies. However, the GAP fails to address the impact of fossil fuels on human health. 'Health provides the most compelling case for a rapid and just transition away from fossil fuels, but their absence from important global strategy documents such as the Global Action Plan misses a key opportunity to emphasise these connections in the minds and policies of Governments around the world', said Rosie Tasker, Clean Air Liaison at the Global Climate and Health Alliance. 'Moreover, without action to mitigate climate change through reduction of fossil fuel use, the health impacts of climate change will soon outstrip the capacities of health systems to respond. To counter this, climate must become a core part of national health strategies, and health a key part of countries' Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), including a stronger focus on vulnerable groups such as women and children, older adults, LGBTQ, refugee and migrant populations, and people with poor mental health or disabilities.' 'Recognising that these groups are most acutely affected, but are often missing from national climate and health responses, a focus on protecting the most vulnerable will be key to safeguarding the health gains made in recent decades', added Tasker. 'Despite some limitations in the Global Action Plan including its omission of the health impacts from fossil fuels, the Global Climate and Health Alliance calls for it to be adopted, putting in place an implementation plan for the climate and health commitments endorsed last year', said Miller. 'The GAP provides clear direction for a holistic and integrated approach to addressing climate change and health across sectors, which offers the best chance to protect human and planetary health.' In addition to the Global Action Plan for the climate change resolution, two other items on the World Health Assembly agenda are important to climate and health - the proposed WHO roadmap on the health impacts of air pollution; and a resolution on Integrated Lung Health. The Roadmap maps out a path to achieve WHO's ambitious target, set during WHO's air pollution conference in March, of achieving a 50% reduction in the health impacts of air pollution by 2040. The Lung Health resolution likewise recognises the health impacts of air pollution and calls on governments to integrate clean air policies and education into their core work on tuberculosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer and asthma. While both the Roadmap and the Lung Health resolution outline important actions for addressing the causes and health impacts of air pollution, they too both fail to address the role of fossil fuel combustion as a major driver of local air pollution, and the primary driver of global warming which in turn also aggravates air pollution. This misses a vital opportunity to achieve the sort of integrated, holistic, and comprehensive approach set out in the GAP. 'The Global Climate and Health Alliance welcomes the Global Action Plan on climate, the Roadmap on air pollution, and the resolution on lung health as valuable political and technical resources to support action', said Tasker. 'But there is a clear and urgent need for member states to join WHO in explicitly recognising the role of fossil fuels in contributing to lung disease, air pollution, and the climate crisis in order to effectively address omission of fossil fuels highlights the increasing challenges that the WHO and the global health community are facing in driving evidence-based policy, in the face of strong economic and political pressure from industry'. 'The issues on the agenda are the regular business of a typical World Health Assembly, however this year's assembly is taking place under anything but typical conditions', added Miller. On day one of his presidency, Donald Trump announced US withdrawal from WHO and pulling of US financial support [1]; and announced withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, and pulled US financial support from the UNFCCC. These actions were quickly followed by gutting USAID, overnight shuttering global health programs and initiatives around the world, in countries in greatest need. 'Since taking office in January, the steps taken by the Trump Administration have shaken the global health community, and have compounded that with devastating actions aimed at stalling progress on addressing climate change', said Miller. 'To prevent the rolling back of decades of global health gains and momentum on climate and health will require a doubling down of commitment by the governments at the World Health Assembly that prioritise the health and well-being of their populations. Every willing government must unite and work together to protect the health and wellbeing of everyone on Earth'. Notes: 1) Figures are a 2.5bn shortfall between 2025 and 2027, with around 1.8bn of that affecting the 2026-2027 budget (around 43%). Event: Break the Fossil Influence: Launching a Health-Led Call for Fossil-Free Communications Date: 8 am - 9.30 am, 22 May, 2025 Venue: Geneva Press Club (directions) - and livestreamed (website) As the health harms of fossil fuels—from toxic air to climate-driven disasters—grow more severe, so does the urgency for the health community to lead with clarity, courage, and conscience. Join us for the official launch of the Break the Fossil Influence – Fossil-Free Health Communications Campaign, a groundbreaking initiative calling on health organizations to cut ties with PR and ad agencies that work with the fossil fuel industry.
The Hindu
22-04-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Health Matters newsletter: When heat is the central paradigm
On rising temperatures and climate change, India's air quality, the need for geriatric care services, the landmark agreement on tackling future pandemics, and more This is not old wine in new bottle, this is mulled wine you forgot to throw spices into, but that glass is frothing with all the overheating that is happening this summer. There is May to come, and if the heat is already that bad, one's brow rises up with beads of sweat at the mere contemplation. So this week, we are talking about the thing that every one is discussing furiously - heat, and that which is not as energetically debated - climate change. On March 15, some States and cities in India experienced the first of severe heatwaves for the year 2025. This was 20 days earlier than the first severe heatwave in 2024, making it very clear that climate change is indeed upon us. India's air quality way off WHO markers, Maria Neira, director of the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Health at the World Health Organization (WHO), said last week. She urged the Indian authorities to scale up existing programmes, particularly those aimed at reducing household air pollution caused by the use of biomass fuels for cooking. 'We need to consider programmes like providing access to LPG and subsidies, but of course, the effort has to be not only maintained but probably scaled up,' said Ms. Neira. Staying on air pollution, here's a story about how people in an industrial town on the border of Assam and Meghalaya, battle respiratory issues, skin rashes, living as they do in world's most polluted town. Byrnihat's annual average PM2.5 concentration in 2024 was 128.2 micrograms per cubic meter, according to IQAir, over 25-times the level recommended by the WHO. PM2.5 refers to particulate matter measuring 2.5 microns or less in diameter that can be carried into the lungs, causing deadly diseases and cardiac problems. Residents referred to family members and neighbours 'breathing like a fish' thanks to all the pollution. Byrnihat's air quality remains poor through the year, government data indicates. Here's a report on yet another Study that linked climate change with rising arsenic levels in rice, increasing cancer risks for Asians. According to the study, rising temperatures and CO2 levels could lead to a substantial increase in arsenic levels in rice, potentially causing tens of millions of cancer cases in Asian countries by 2050. Researchers from Columbia University, U.S., explained that an increase in temperatures above 2 degrees Celsius and rising levels of carbon dioxide could be causing changes in soil chemistry, favouring arsenic, which gets more easily absorbed into a rice grain. Contaminated soil and irrigated water while growing rice are known to increase inorganic arsenic in rice. In the global south, in the south of the Indian subcontinent, heat is a very serious concern. K. Lakshmi and Geetha Srimathi record how the Rising humidity level in a coastal city makes things very uncomfortable for Chennai residents. Wet bulb temperature-induced discomfort is real, if you are living in a coastal city these days. Meghna M. reports that Parents are worried about heat, even when putting children into summer camps while Serish Nanisetti writes that Telangana prepares for 'warming planet' with higher ex-gratia, district-wise heatwave plan. Already we learnt that Tamil Nadu had declared heat at a state disaster, thus facilitating rehabilitation and funding to address heat-related impacts on people. Dr. Chandrakant Lahariya brings up the tail with a list of things to do: Beat the heat with people-centric responses, he says, introducing the concept of heat stress early on in the article. This week we happened to have a couple of articles focusing on elder care. What with a demographic transition in place in the country, swinging more to the grey zone, it is important that healthcare managers and governments begin focussing on how to take care of the elderly. While Serena Josephine M. wrote on the The necessity for, and the challenges that lie in caring for India's elderly population, Shilpa Elizabeth added the community aspect to the equation of elder care. Equitable access and affordable health care should be at the centre of most discussions in the subcontinent. The quality of public health care is a constant and must continue to be a constant source of concern for the government, which is in many places, the largest provider of healthcare to the people. Irfan Shakeer and Dr. Janane S. write about the importance of Making primary health visible, offering accessible and affordable health care. Dr. Kinshuk Gupta's article A call to action: Haemophilia patients in India need timely diagnosis, affordable treatment again, addresses the same paradigm for an exclusive group of patients, one whose demands on the healthcare system is more regular. All the more of concern to India, which reportedly has the second-highest load of patients with hemophilia A in the world, and is the only developing country amongst the top five countries in the world. In terms of sheer numbers, chronic kidney disease, likely caused by the epidemic of hypertension and diabetes is alarming. The urgent need to bridge gaps to make dialysis more accessible and affordable for patients. According to the Pradhan Mantri National Dialysis Program, which was rolled out in 2016 to provide free dialysis to the poor, about 2.2 lakh new patients with end-stage renal disease get added in India every year, resulting in an additional demand for 3.4 crore dialysis sessions. There are however, only 11,148 haemodialysis machines in the country. Athira Elssa Johnson turns the spotlight on Newborn screening crucial for early detection of primary immunodeficiency. Globally, the WHO and other studies acknowledge over 430 distinct PI associated disorders, affecting an estimated six million people. Alarmingly, up to 90% of these cases remain undiagnosed. The Hindu also paid tribute to a dear friend of the health sector, Dr. Mathew Samuel Kalarickal, widely acknowledged as the father of Indian angioplasty. He first introduced angioplasty in the country at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai, giving patients a convenient and less risky option to open heart surgery and a more effective option than drugs. In other news, I write about a meta-analyses that recently proved Almonds rein in weight, cholesterol and hypertension in mild to moderate amounts if consistently ingested. The Prime Minister Narandra Modi pitched for a fitter India, on the occasion of World Liver Day, and while you are at it, see if you can answer our quiz On liver health. Meanwhile, in a significant development, WHO countries strike landmark agreement on tackling future pandemics after several rounds of discussions. 'At a time when multilateralism is under threat, WHO member states have joined together to say that we will defeat the next pandemic threat in the only way possible: by working together,' said New Zealand's former prime minister Helen Clark, co-chair of the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response. Do read The Hindu's editorial on the subject: Landmark agreement: On the draft WHO Pandemic Agreement. There are a couple of contenders for this week's tailpiece segment. If a Dr. Dog enters the picture, is that a story we can ignore? Geetha Srimathi writes about the four legged teacher: At this Chennai school, 'Dr. Dog' helps children with special needs learn, communicate and build social skills. Saraswati Kendra uses animal-assisted therapy to help its students who have learning disabilities and autism, develop behavioural skills. Psychologists at the school say the pet is used as a bridge to encourage children to open up Also, if you have asked, or wondered if twins are allergic to the same things, here is an answer. Breanne Hayes Haney in The Conversation: Are twins allergic to the same things? The short answer is 'Yes, they can be allergic to the same things, but not always'. Hit on the link to learn more. As usual, we have a rich bunch of explainers this week: Zubeda Hamid wonders Why health insurance premiums are so high in India in the In Focus podcast. Dr. Ashok Chacko writes on Understanding irritable bowel syndrome and how to manage it. In the All you need to know about: Bindu Shajan Prappadan writes on Gluten allergies, also check this on Blood pressure. Dr. Abhijit Joshi answers a question many are asking: Doctor, will I ever run again? On life after a heart attack. Dr. Nagarajan V. explains The role of vaccines in protecting communities from disease. C. Maya lays out the context on Why ASHA workers are protesting in Kerala? Dr. Arvind Radhakrishnan Demystifies the many causes behind syncope A. Jaishree Gajaraj writes on the science behind 'miracle babies' born of uterine transplants Niranjana P.S. tells you How your immune system reacts through anaphylactic shocks to protect you from the 'invaders' If you have a few extra moments, also check out the following links: Trials demonstrate safety of stem cell therapy for Parkinson's Doctors urge vigilance amid rise in accidental ingestions among kids during summer vacations Navaneeth Krishna V.: Tiny pacemaker ups the ante on device's abilities Afshan Yasmeen: Soon all hospitals may have to share data on elective joint surgeries with Health Department Govt bans the manufacture, sale of 35 fixed-dose combination drugs — For many more health stories, head to our health page and subscribe to the health newsletter here.
