Vlatka Matkovic’s Post

HCWH Europe moderated a session on the healthcare sector's role in climate change mitigation at the EU high-level conference, "Research Perspectives on the Health Impacts of Climate Change." 💡 Key takeaways from the session include the importance of leveraging research to address knowledge gaps, such as implementing low-carbon solutions and improving emissions calculations. The speakers highlighted the need for increased collaboration across healthcare systems and the imperative for political and legal frameworks to enable sustainable practices, particularly focusing on emissions assessment and procurement. We are pleased to contribute to the ongoing progress in Europe towards mitigating climate change and its impact on health. #SustainableHealthcare #EUClimateAndHealth

Our new article “Advancing the climate change and health nexus: The 2024 Agenda" is out in the PLOS Global Public Health journal. To halt the damaging impacts of climate change, which are not only affecting our health but also stalling progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, we must: 1. Make a full shift to renewable energy 2. Build resilient health systems and fund them impactfully, aligned behind strong national plans 3. Push for more flexible, accessible, and accelerated financing from wealthier governments and philanthropies to unlock our ability to address the negative health impacts of climate change A health-centered climate response focusing on building resilient health systems will save millions of lives, strengthen every country’s economy, and promote human health and well-being. Read the full article here 👇

New relevant reports available on the WHO EURO website:   Achieving health benefits from carbon reductions: Manual for use of the climate change mitigation, air quality and health tool (CLIMAQ-H) (7/2023) (https://lnkd.in/e4sJYGgz) Human health effects of benzene, arsenic, cadmium, nickel, lead, and mercury: report of an expert consultation (1/2024) (https://lnkd.in/eEPJC2nM.) Personal-level actions to reduce air pollution exposure in the WHO European Region (2/2024) (https://lnkd.in/eUn5cQJC)

How are healthcare leaders preparing for the impacts of climate change? Future of Health Europe is dedicated to sustainability. Sessions will focus on responding to the health impacts of climate change and integrating healthcare with planet care. Join us on October 11th and 12th in London as we bring together experts, industry leaders and advocates. Learn more here:. https://bit.ly/3pJkVxr #EconFutureofHealthEurope

Why does decarbonizing matter for the U.S. health sector? A new resource from the NAM Climate Collaborative makes the case for the health sector’s opportunity to lead on climate action, to create a more sustainable and healthy future for all patients and communities. Explore the resource: https://buff.ly/49wvGUi

Figuring out how to protect people against the effects of global warming due to fossil fuel combustion is needed in all areas of life, including health care. https://lnkd.in/gariHb9K Article on to climate protection and health promotion published in new book Mirjam Jenny, Jule Schmitz and Cornelia Betsch are co-authors of an article that has now appeared in the book "Jetzt oder nie: Nachhaltigkeit im Gesundheitswesen" ("Now or Never: Sustainability in Healthcare"). "Jetzt oder nie," edited by Jürgen Graalmann, Eckart von Hirschhausen and Kerstin Blum (Stiftung Gesunde Erde - Gesunde Menschen), takes a look at the special role and impact of health care, including how health care can act as a driver for the transformation of society toward sustainability and climate protection. "Climate Protection and Health Promotion: On the Value of Social and Behavioral Science Approaches" is the title of the article that Mirjam A. Jenny, Jule M. Schmitz, and Cornelia Betsch have now contributed to the book. A climate and health policy that understands human behavior can effectively change behavior through cleverly set framework conditions, the authors write in their article. If public health decision makers give central consideration to those factors that promote behaviourial change, climate and health policy decisions can be better explained, misinformation can be prevented and contained, socially just policies can be implemented, and collateral damage at the systemic and individual levels can be minimized.

Climate change is a defining issue of our time and has direct financial impact on the life and health industry. Operationally, companies are proactively reducing their carbon foot print. And business wise, we are seeing intensified collaboration across all players, to assess consequences of climate on mortality, morbidity, hospitalisation. And of course, a lot more needs to be done to prepare our industry for worsening climate. Watch the full interview with AIA Regional CEO, Hak Leh, about the impacts of climate risk on the life and health sector here: https://lnkd.in/gxuMntpY AIA Singapore

"The Intersection of Climate Change and Public Health: A Call to Action" Climate change is not just an environmental challenge; it is a pressing public health issue with far-reaching consequences. As global temperatures rise and extreme weather events become more frequent, the health risks to populations around the world intensify. Rising temperatures contribute to the spread of infectious diseases, impact air and water quality, and pose threats to food and water security. Vulnerable communities, often the least responsible for climate change, bear the brunt of these health impacts. Additionally, climate-related events like hurricanes and heatwaves can strain healthcare systems and disrupt essential services. Addressing this intersection between climate change and public health requires a multifaceted approach. Mitigation efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions are crucial, as are strategies for adapting healthcare systems to changing conditions. Public awareness and advocacy for sustainable practices further contribute to building resilient communities. In conclusion, recognizing and responding to the health implications of climate change is imperative for safeguarding the well-being of current and future generations. Collaborative efforts on a global scale are essential to mitigate the health risks associated with climate change and foster a healthier, more sustainable world.

An insightful report ‘Quantifying the Impact of Climate Change on Human Health’ 🌍 published by the World Economic Forum, provides an in-depth economic analysis of how climate change will reshape health landscapes over the next two decades 🌱. According to the report, developing countries, which have contributed the least to climate change, are not only the most vulnerable to extreme events 🌪️ but also have limited resources to adapt and protect their people. The report highlights increased risks from pollution 🏭, and extreme weather events 🌧️, showing how these factors will worsen existing health inequities, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable populations. It concludes by labelling climate change a health emergency 🚨, emphasising that mitigating its effects will require substantial financial resources 💸 and a high degree of global cooperation 🤝 to develop solutions that strengthen the global health infrastructure. To read the full report, written in collaboration with Oliver Wyman, click here. https://lnkd.in/eVzupJJ3 #IndustryUpdates #KeyInsights #ClimateAction #Health #ClimateChange

A new facet of climate change and health care has been gaining attention: how the health care industry itself contributes to climate change and what can be done about it without compromising care.