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New Global Survey Explores Climate Change Impacts on Health

On January 15, 2025, Grand Challenges Canada (GCC) announced the launch of a significant global survey aimed at understanding the health effects of climate change. This initiative comes in collaboration with the Science for Africa Foundation (SFA Foundation), the Global Grand Challenges Network, and The Geneva Learning Foundation. The survey seeks to capture crucial insights from various health professionals, particularly from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), who can provide firsthand accounts of the health challenges exacerbated by the ongoing climate crisis.

Objective of the Survey

The primary goal of this global survey is to prioritize the voices of community health workers, physicians, nurses, and researchers, aiming to gather local perspectives on health impacts due to climate change. With increasing threats such as heat-related illnesses, vector-borne diseases, waterborne diseases, and mental health issues being reported, the need for understanding these challenges has never been more urgent.

The initiative aims to collect both quantitative and qualitative data. The survey responses will be complemented by insights gathered from a global convening of healthcare workers, providing a broad understanding of the landscape. A dedicated global panel of experts from both climate and health sectors will analyze the gathered data to identify and prioritize the most pressing health challenges posed by climate change.

Importance of Community Input

GCC’s approach emphasizes the integration of local insights in shaping health policies and solutions. Dr. Karlee Silver, CEO of Grand Challenges Canada, expressed gratitude for the support from various partners, highlighting the importance of community health workers who witness the impacts of climate change on health daily. With their experiences and insights, this initiative aims to ensure that vulnerable populations at the frontline of climate change see their health priorities addressed.

Health professionals are instrumental in this endeavor, as their lived experiences contribute to a richer understanding of how climate change affects their communities. Their insights will bridge the gap between emerging global health agendas and the realities faced by local communities.

Building a Global Response

The insights from this survey will serve as a foundation for developing a Climate and Health Grand Challenge. This new initiative aims to direct global funding towards innovations that address the climate-sensitive health needs identified during the survey. By recognizing the critical issues within the intersection of climate and health, policymakers and funding bodies can better align their strategies and resources.

Organizations supporting this initiative include the Gates Foundation, Wellcome Trust, and several other international partnerships working together to share findings and drive innovative solutions globally.

Dr. Evelyn Gitau, Chief Scientific Officer of SFA Foundation, noted the survey's timeliness in capturing the experiences of African health professionals amidst climate vulnerabilities. The collective insights gathered through this initiative can lead to co-created solutions that not only tackle immediate concerns but also strengthen health systems for future challenges as well.

Conclusion

The global climate health survey is a critical step towards understanding and addressing the complex relationships between climate change and health. By centering the voices of those most affected, this survey hopes to inform funding and policy decisions that will ultimately lead to healthier, more resilient communities worldwide. Through collaboration and shared commitment, there is potential to foster innovative solutions that can mitigate the health impacts brought on by our changing climate, ensuring that no one is left behind as the world faces these pressing challenges together.