When water connects us all: Climate-sensitive health risks through a One Health lens
1
School of Public Health, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
2
Future Water Institute, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
3
Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
4
School of Civil, Aerospace, and Design Engineering, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
5
Cabot Institute, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom
6
School of Environmental Health, Haramaya University, Haramaya, Ethiopia
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A422
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Climate change is a threat to global stability(1-3). The most direct impacts from climate change are from the effects of high temperatures and extreme weather events. These stressors produce direct health effects. Indirect health effects occur through climate interactions with ecosystems, water, biodiversity, and land use changes and can modify or mediate existing health effects and exacerbate inequalities(4). Climate change can lead to environmental degradation, affecting food and water availability and quality, and increasing risks to health from pathogens, vectors, diseases and pollutants(5). Therefore, climate change effects will be experienced across the human-animal-environment interface. Applying a One Health approach to the Water-Climate-Health nexus will aid in understanding the impact of climate change and the identification of effective interventions.
METHODS:
This interactive session aims to help participants understand, discuss, and apply a One Health approach to water-related climate-sensitive health risks affecting humans, animals, and ecosystems. This will be done through: -A brief presentation addressing climate-water-health nexus, the pathways of interaction, changing public health risks and how a One Health framework is suited to these issues. -Breakout group activity where case studies on challenges within the climate-water-health space will be discussed and a One Health perspective used to identify the climate-drivers, water and health impacts (for humans, animals and environment), and a short-term and mid- to long-term One Health response to the issues.
RESULTS:
By the end of the session, participants will: 1. Identify water-related climate-sensitive health risks across human, animal, and environmental systems 2. Explain how climate change alters water pathways of disease and exposure 3. Apply a One Health lens to design integrated responses 4. Recognize opportunities for cross-sector collaboration
CONCLUSIONS:
Understanding the application of a One Health framework to the cross-cutting impacts of climate change on water and health is imperative to finding key solutions to these challenges.
Climate change is a threat to global stability(1-3). The most direct impacts from climate change are from the effects of high temperatures and extreme weather events. These stressors produce direct health effects. Indirect health effects occur through climate interactions with ecosystems, water, biodiversity, and land use changes and can modify or mediate existing health effects and exacerbate inequalities(4). Climate change can lead to environmental degradation, affecting food and water availability and quality, and increasing risks to health from pathogens, vectors, diseases and pollutants(5). Therefore, climate change effects will be experienced across the human-animal-environment interface. Applying a One Health approach to the Water-Climate-Health nexus will aid in understanding the impact of climate change and the identification of effective interventions.
METHODS:
This interactive session aims to help participants understand, discuss, and apply a One Health approach to water-related climate-sensitive health risks affecting humans, animals, and ecosystems. This will be done through: -A brief presentation addressing climate-water-health nexus, the pathways of interaction, changing public health risks and how a One Health framework is suited to these issues. -Breakout group activity where case studies on challenges within the climate-water-health space will be discussed and a One Health perspective used to identify the climate-drivers, water and health impacts (for humans, animals and environment), and a short-term and mid- to long-term One Health response to the issues.
RESULTS:
By the end of the session, participants will: 1. Identify water-related climate-sensitive health risks across human, animal, and environmental systems 2. Explain how climate change alters water pathways of disease and exposure 3. Apply a One Health lens to design integrated responses 4. Recognize opportunities for cross-sector collaboration
CONCLUSIONS:
Understanding the application of a One Health framework to the cross-cutting impacts of climate change on water and health is imperative to finding key solutions to these challenges.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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