The Seventy-seventh World Health Assembly of the World Health Organisation has recognized climate change as an imminent threat to global health, passing a resolution that calls for urgent and decisive measures to address the profound health risks posed by climate change. Supported overwhelmingly by Member States, this resolution underscores the interdependence of environmental sustainability and public health, emphasizing the need for radical action to safeguard the health of both the planet and its inhabitants.
World Health Assembly ; KEY POINTS OF THE RESOLUTION
Climate Change as a Health Threat
The Health Assembly’s resolution highlights the existential threat that climate change poses to human health. It calls for the global health community to mobilize on an unprecedented scale to combat climate change and its impacts on public health. This includes integrating health considerations into national and international climate policy frameworks and supporting countries in developing climate-resilient and low-carbon health systems.
Mobilizing the Global Health Community
The resolution calls for amplifying and expanding existing efforts to address climate change within the core functions of global health governance. It emphasizes the need for collective action to protect both human health and the environment, urging Member States to prioritize health in their climate policies.
Capacity Building and Technical Support
The Health Assembly resolution emphasizes the importance of strengthening capacity building and providing technical support to national health ministries. This will empower countries to implement robust climate-resilient health initiatives tailored to their unique circumstances. The goal is to guide cross-sectoral actions that promote health while contributing to climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Tailored Health Initiatives
By focusing on the unique needs of each country, the resolution aims to enable the implementation of effective health initiatives that address the specific climate challenges faced by different regions. This tailored approach ensures that health systems are better equipped to handle the impacts of climate change.
World Health Assembly ; WHO’S LEADERSHIP AND COMMITMENT
WHO is committed to leading the global health response to climate change. The Organization plans to scale up its efforts in supporting Member States through leadership, raising awareness, providing technical support, and building capacity. This includes presenting health as a central concern in climate policies, advancing evidence-based strategies, and mobilizing support for health and climate action in countries.
KEY INITIATIVES
Some of the key initiatives outlined by WHO include:
- Presenting health as a central concern in climate policies.
- Advancing evidence-based strategies to address health and climate change.
- Mobilizing support for health and climate action in Member States.
- Providing technical support and building capacity within national health ministries.
