Climate change and public health: Understanding the connection and building resilience

August 29, 2024

Alycia McNutt

How policy and technology help mitigate the health impacts of climate change

Climate change poses significant threats to public health, affecting virtually every population and community around the world. The increasing frequency of extreme weather events and the expanding reach of infectious diseases present complicated, multifaced challenges and impacts. Public health officials, scientists and doctors dedicated to safeguarding community health face unprecedented challenges in understanding these evolving threats.

Technological progress is crucial as we strive to develop effective strategies and interventions to protect public health amidst the complexities of a changing climate.

The health impacts of extreme weather events

Climate change intensifies extreme weather events, including heatwaves, hurricanes floods and droughts. These events often lead to a variety of health issues, including injuries, mental health crises and outbreaks of waterborne diseases.

As we’re seeing this summer throughout the world, heatwaves in particular pose a severe risk to vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children and those with preexisting health conditions.

Warmer temperatures and changing precipitation patterns create favorable conditions for vectors like mosquitoes and ticks, altering their distribution and behavior. This expansion increases the geographical range of malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus and Lyme disease, and affects agricultural productivity and water availability, resulting in malnutrition, foodborne illnesses and waterborne diseases. Communities that rely heavily on agriculture and fishing are especially vulnerable, as their livelihoods and food security are directly impacted.
Rising temperatures are also contributing to deteriorating air quality, exacerbating respiratory illnesses and cardiovascular conditions. Pollutants generated from increased wildfires, a consequence of extended dry spells, further degrade air quality and harm respiratory health.

Strategies for mitigating risks and building resilience

Addressing the complex challenges posed by climate change to public health requires a multifaceted approach. Strengthening health infrastructure is paramount, with investments needed in resilient healthcare systems capable of withstanding growing and evolving demands on analytics. Monitoring and surveillance systems are essential for detecting and responding to outbreaks of climate-sensitive diseases.

At Conduent, our public health experts are constantly updating Maven®, our market-leading public health platform, to meet these demands. Public health organizations across 28 international, state and local jurisdictions serving more than 195 million people use Maven to monitor outbreaks of over 90 different diseases, including Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox), COVID-19, Ebola, Zika, measles, tuberculosis, HIV/STDs and influenza.

In addition to technological solutions, we as an industry must do more to advance public education and awareness are critical in preparing communities for the health risks associated with climate change. Increasing awareness about preventive measures, such as vaccination, vector control and personal protective actions during extreme weather events, empowers individuals to protect their health. Community engagement initiatives foster local resilience, with a focus on improving food and water security through sustainable agriculture practices and efficient water management.

Technology, advocacy and education are crucial in enhancing public health responses to climate change, enabling proactive measures to mitigate risks and build resilient communities worldwide. At Conduent, our team of scientists stand ready to drive this mission forward.

Ready to discover why Maven is a trusted health platform by public health agencies around the world?  Visit us online to learn more and reach out to an expert.  