Wellcome Trust’s Post

Today, the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, has released a global call to action to save lives and limit the impacts of extreme heat. Extreme heat, driven by climate change, threatens the health of billions of people. And the world is not prepared for this intensifying crisis. At Wellcome, health-centred action on climate change is a key priority for us. We fund research to better understand the effects of climate change on health, as well as define climate interventions and policies that protect and improve health. How exactly does extreme heat affect health, who is most at risk – and what can be done to help? Read our explainer to find out 💡 https://lnkd.in/gPER7hri

Climate change is making heatwaves more frequent, intense and longer-lasting, putting the health of billions of people at risk. From India to Greece to the US – many countries have been hit by prolonged periods of dangerous heat in 2024. And these conditions will continue to worsen until net-zero emissions are reached. Read our explainer to find out how extreme heat impacts health, who is most at risk – and what can be done to help ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/gPER7hri

Our Mental Health Award, which will fund research using neuroscience to understand the symptoms of anxiety, depression and psychosis, has now closed. Thank you to everyone that applied! Learn more about what we’re funding and what we want to achieve ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/gCjnxkmg

Extreme heat isn't just impacting our physical health. Research shows it's a growing mental health concern, too. From interrupting sleep to changing behaviour, extreme heat can negatively affect our mental health in several ways. Climate change is causing more extreme weather events, including more instances of extreme heat. We need more research on the physical and mental health consequences so we can design better policy to protect health. Read more from Alessandro Massazza in Carbon Brief:  https://lnkd.in/gdtS-kb7

Floods have a huge impact on people’s health that lasts far beyond the event itself. From the spread of diseases like cholera and dengue, to the mental health effects and disruption to ongoing healthcare, find out more in our new explainer ⤵️ https://t.co/KiikIow76O

What factors increase the risk of Zika moving to new places? There are several, including: ✈️ rising levels of international travel and trade 🌍 warming temperatures as a result of the climate crisis Learn more about how Zika spreads, its health impacts and what can be done to protect people against it ⤵️ https://lnkd.in/eSR8seCh

Reports of dengue have increased tenfold over the last twenty years. Nearly half of the world's population is now at risk. How has it spread so quickly? It’s complicated – involving everything from vaccine access to urbanisation and international travel. Of course, there’s another factor at play too: climate change. Watch the full explainer video featuring Dr Felipe J Colón-González and Dr Sophie Yacoub to find out more: https://wellc.me/4az0zcc

Millions of people are held back by mental health problems. Digital interventions have the potential to help many by advancing early intervention in anxiety, depression and psychosis. That’s what our latest funding call hopes to do. We’re offering up to £7 million to each team to develop scalable digital interventions – using technologies including artificial intelligence, chatbots, video games and more. Applications open in the week of 29 July and the deadline to apply is 2 December 2024. Learn more 👇 https://lnkd.in/eWRQye-H