Climate and Health 101 : Strengthening public health capacity to respond to climate change
1
Community health, University of the witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
2
Department of health, South African national government, Pretoria, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A464
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Climate change is one of the greatest public health threats of the twenty-first century, with health risks increasingly transcending borders1. African countries experience disproportionate impacts despite contributing least to global carbon emissions, placing pressure on health systems and exposing shared vulnerabilities2. Findings from a recent study among South African public health medicine (PHM) specialists identified key gaps in knowledge related to climate change and health, and limited skills in advocacy, monitoring and evaluation, and policy development3. This highlights an urgent need to strengthen public health capacity for protecting and sustaining climate change responses.
METHODS:
This organized session is a one-hour interactive workshop combining didactic input and facilitated panel discussion, with audience engagement. The session draws on evidence from climate and health literature and health system strengthening frameworks. Practical examples from south africa and other low and middle income country settings will be used to illustrate climate related health risks, the contribution of health systems to climate change, and opportunities for action across clinical, managerial, and policy roles. Participatory discussion will explore real world challenges and contextual solutions. The panellists will include dr roxanne govender (south african researcher), dr andre rose (PHM specialist), mr jim chauvin (global public health advocate, and mr rico eurupidou ( environmental justice advocate). (Expected) Results Participants will strengthen their understanding of climate related health risks and build practical skills in advocacy, policy engagement, and the application of monitoring and evaluation concepts to climate and health interventions.
CONCLUSIONS:
This workshop provides a practical platform for capacity building in climate change and health, responding directly to identified training gaps. It supports the integration of climate and health competencies into public health education and continuing professional development, and aims to empower public health professionals to take meaningful action within health systems and policy environments.
Climate change is one of the greatest public health threats of the twenty-first century, with health risks increasingly transcending borders1. African countries experience disproportionate impacts despite contributing least to global carbon emissions, placing pressure on health systems and exposing shared vulnerabilities2. Findings from a recent study among South African public health medicine (PHM) specialists identified key gaps in knowledge related to climate change and health, and limited skills in advocacy, monitoring and evaluation, and policy development3. This highlights an urgent need to strengthen public health capacity for protecting and sustaining climate change responses.
METHODS:
This organized session is a one-hour interactive workshop combining didactic input and facilitated panel discussion, with audience engagement. The session draws on evidence from climate and health literature and health system strengthening frameworks. Practical examples from south africa and other low and middle income country settings will be used to illustrate climate related health risks, the contribution of health systems to climate change, and opportunities for action across clinical, managerial, and policy roles. Participatory discussion will explore real world challenges and contextual solutions. The panellists will include dr roxanne govender (south african researcher), dr andre rose (PHM specialist), mr jim chauvin (global public health advocate, and mr rico eurupidou ( environmental justice advocate). (Expected) Results Participants will strengthen their understanding of climate related health risks and build practical skills in advocacy, policy engagement, and the application of monitoring and evaluation concepts to climate and health interventions.
CONCLUSIONS:
This workshop provides a practical platform for capacity building in climate change and health, responding directly to identified training gaps. It supports the integration of climate and health competencies into public health education and continuing professional development, and aims to empower public health professionals to take meaningful action within health systems and policy environments.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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