Linkages between health, environment, and climate change
There are many and complex linkages between health, environment and climate change but it is evident that negative environmental impacts affect the quality of life and can cause diseases, injuries and death.
Low-income countries are particularly vulnerable, where people living in poverty, especially women and children, are disproportionately affected. Overall, environmental degradation burdens the health systems.
Healthy environments improves societal well-being and resilience
Efforts to enhance environmental quality and adapt to climate change, for instance through better air quality, access to water and sanitation, improved waste management, and safeguarding biodiversity, can reduce vulnerability of communities and improve the overall societal well-being and resilience.
Poor health management in turn impacts the environment negatively
While the health sector clearly can benefit from improved environmental and climate change management, poorly managed health systems can also negatively affect the environment, for instance through poorly managed waste, pollution from pharmaceuticals, and untreated wastewater. Misuse and over-reliance of antibiotics in the health systems risks spreading of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
