#Switzerland #Geneva #WHO #Baoting #Climate Health

WHO and Partners Launch Proactive Health Initiative

On July 1, 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Health Organization (WHO) convened the "Roundtable on 1.5°C Proactive Health", joining forces with cities and research institutions from China and Europe. This pioneering initiative aims to develop integrated climate and health responses for a sustainable future. The event was co-organized by the Peking University Chinese Center for Health Development Studies and the Ningyuan Institute of Climate and Sustainable Development.

Objective of the Initiative

The official launch of the "Geneva 1.5°C Proactive Health Initiative" represents a significant milestone as the first transnational platform integrating academia, industry, and government focused on health and climate governance in urban contexts. The discussions centered around three primary themes: 1.5°C proactive health paradigm, transformative practices from the lab to community, and urban actions for health implementation.

Proactive Health Paradigm

During the symposium, a holistic framework for "1.5°C proactive health" was outlined, emphasizing the substantial health advantages of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. WHO experts reported that climate-related threats—such as extreme heat, natural disasters, and biodiversity loss—exacerbate respiratory diseases, cardiovascular conditions, infectious diseases, and malnutrition. Notably, air pollution alone is responsible for 7 million premature deaths annually, higher than the combined toll of HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis.

From Lab to Community - Transformative Innovations

Various Chinese and European institutions showcased evidence-based case studies aimed at improving air quality, evaluating health in urban settings, innovating with thermal therapy, implementing proactive medical interventions, enhancing green spaces, and promoting healthy food initiatives. These innovative strategies aim to foster environments conducive to community health.

Urban Actions - Connecting Communities

Dedicated sessions highlighted actions within the cities of Baoting and Vichy, demonstrating therapies and health planning tailored to climate challenges. This includes joint efforts in leveraging their unique local resources for public health benefits.

Key Outcomes

The Geneva initiative relies on three fundamental pillars:
1. Shared Vision and Justification: Understanding proactive health at 1.5°C as a transformative response to climate health risks.
2. Advancing Research and Practice: There is a robust commitment to enhancing evidence-based research and the implementation of proactive health approaches which integrate proactive interventions, such as empowerment through knowledge, natural therapies, digital health solutions, nutrition innovations, and healthy living environments. These strategies will be supported by enabling policy instruments, including green financing, to sustain proactive health systems.
3. Global Collaboration Alliance: The "International Alliance for 1.5°C Proactive Health" will be established to create a collaborative innovation network covering proactive health research, urban development, and industrial synergy. Specialized working groups will consolidate expertise, experiences, policy tools, and partnership opportunities, encouraging interdisciplinary international cooperation and pilot initiatives.

Collaboration Between China and Europe

To deepen cooperation in proactive health initiatives, Baoting and Vichy have signed a memorandum focusing on:

• - Integrating thermal therapy with traditional Chinese medicine
• - Training and exchanging healthcare professionals
• - Scientific research and innovation in proactive health
• - Cultural, educational, and economic interactions between communities

Expert Opinions

Dr. Maria Neira, Director of the WHO's department of Environment, Climate Change, and Health, praised the health initiative for its innovation, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and global leadership. Dr. Ren Minghui, Director of the WHO Collaborating Center for Universal Health Coverage, explained the 1.5°C proactive health concept, positioning it as a shift from disease-centered healthcare to a comprehensive model that focuses on:
1. Person-centered care (healthcare lifecycle management)
2. Multi-sectoral coordination across health, sports, environmental, and nutritional sectors
3. Comprehensive service delivery covering prevention, diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, and wellness.

Dr. Heather Adair-Rohani, WHO's technical lead on Air Quality, showcased WHO's strategic approach to mitigate health risks from air pollution through multi-sectoral engagement and global initiatives.

Following the conference, the delegation visited the WHO headquarters in Geneva, engaging with WHO representatives on advancing urban health programs and resources. Baoting County expressed readiness to serve as a laboratory city for pilot projects, illustrating a commitment to proactive health in alignment with WHO’s global initiatives.

Looking Ahead

The proactive health initiative will set the foundation for a stronger international partnership to enhance public health resilience against climate change.

In 2025, plans to finalize the "China-EU Proactive Health Research Initiative" and establish Baoting as a pilot site for proactive health initiatives further reinforces this collaborative vision.

This pioneering effort exemplifies a transformative approach to health governance as it prioritizes proactive and community-centric strategies in addressing climate and health challenges—creating a better future for all.