Climate change dwarfs other threats to health
We need to implement a two-pronged approach. On the one hand we must do all we can to achieve net zero – this report clearly shows what will happen if we don’t. We will see more extreme weather events, ‘tropical’ diseases will become commonplace and our ability to grow crops will be compromised. At the same time, we need to implement solutions that mitigate the health impacts of existing climate changes.
Darrell Gale
Chair of ADPH's Planning and Health Advisory Group
Public health chiefs have called for a positive, partnership approach following today’s report on climate change from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA).
The fourth Health Effects of Climate Change report comes just a week after the President of the Association of Directors of Public Health (ADPH) told delegates at the ADPH annual conference that climate change dwarfed all other threats to health.
Today’s summary and analysis of the evidence paints a sobering picture based on the projections for the UK’s climate, but also highlights possible solutions.
Greg Fell, ADPH President and Director of Public Health (DPH) for Sheffield, said:
“UKHSA has laid out the facts and figures very clearly and while the report makes for very stark reading, there is also hope.
“It is not too late to act to prevent, or at least mitigate, some of the effects of climate change. However, we must work together across political parties and in partnership with business, communities, and the voluntary sector.”
As local leaders of health, Directors of Public Health are uniquely placed to bring the right people together, at the right time and already work in partnership across multiple sectors to implement programmes and initiatives which, as well as improve and protect residents’ health, have co-benefits to the environment.
Darrell Gale, DPH for East Sussex and Chair of ADPH’s Planning and Health Advisory Group, said:
“We need to implement a two-pronged approach. On the one hand we must do all we can to achieve net zero – this report clearly shows what will happen if we don’t. We will see more extreme weather events, ‘tropical’ diseases will become commonplace and our ability to grow crops will be compromised.
“At the same time, we need to implement solutions that mitigate the health impacts of existing climate changes. To do this, we need to think through the health implications of our planning decisions and adapt our approach accordingly – for example, ensuring that there are enough trees in cities to provide shade when it gets hot.
“We also need to make sure we learn from other countries so that we are prepared should diseases like dengue fever and zika virus become endemic in the UK. The outlook is bleak, but it is manageable if we work together to find and implement solutions.”
DsPH are also highlighting the need to reduce the current unacceptable gap in health outcomes between people who live in different areas and come from different backgrounds.
Fell explained:
“Everyone needs to be able to access mitigations and interventions, regardless of how much money they have or where they live. DsPH know their local communities, know where pockets of inequity are and have relationships with community leaders to be able to address them. It is absolutely essential that these existing, local partnerships are harnessed when it comes to addressing climate change – and most importantly, have the backing from central Government to be able to implement solutions that will support the right people at the right time.”