The Regional Hub for Asia Climate Change and Health

 

The effects of climate change on human health are wide-ranging — from the direct impacts of extreme weather such as floods and heat waves to indirect impacts such as new and re-emerging diseases and mental stress. These impacts will place additional pressure on health systems in lower-income countries, especially on the health workforce, which is ill-prepared to respond effectively to climate-induced health risks. Additionally, the significant health co-benefits from climate action need to be demonstrated more widely and integrated into climate action policies and programs to maximize health outcomes.

The Regional Hub for Asia Climate Change and Health will support the co-production of a regional climate and health roadmap as well as its implementation through high-quality, gender- and equity-sensitive research. The translation of this evidence into action will promote climate and health literacy, community empowerment and response. Additional training, technical support and continuous professional development will also strengthen research institutions and health systems, with particular attention to women and children, older adults, Indigenous peoples and other climate-vulnerable groups in the Asia region.

This project is part of the Advancing Research for Climate and Health (ARCH) initiative, a five-year partnership between the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and IDRC to address critical knowledge gaps at the intersection of climate change and health. ARCH will support five regional hubs on climate change and health, which will establish, manage and support a cohort of sub-grantee-led research projects in their respective regions.