Identifying resilience resolutions at the intersection of climate, health and equity (summary)

Climate change directly and indirectly impacts health, exacerbating heat-related illnesses, aggravating cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, and increasing risk of vector-borne diseases while also adversely impacting mental health and well-being. Recognizing these challenges, we launched Urban Pulse to place health and equity at the center of climate action and drive policymakers and community stakeholders to work together to address these critical issues. Causes of climate change are global; however, health impacts are inherently local. Facing acute climate shocks and chronic stresses, cities are first-line responders for public health preparedness, surveillance and response. Given sluggish national-level action, many city governments have initiated climate action to address population density, heat island effects, limited green space, coastal proximity, and aging infrastructure. One-half of the world’s population live in cities, increasing to 70% by 2050. In low/middle income countries the pace of urbanization is even faster. Those in concentrated poverty and without access to health and social services are disproportionately vulnerable, resulting in profound inequities. Climate change has profound direct and indirect effects on health and mental health, such as prolonged heatwaves and heat island effects, increased severity of extreme weather events, and rapidly-spreading infectious diseases such as dengue, which are exacerbated in cities. Nearly 40 Sustainable Development Goal targets are relevant to urban health.8 Accordingly, cities must be on the frontline to promote health and climate justice. Articulating health advantages of climate action increases public support and informs policymakers’ ambition for policy change. This report is part of a broader effort called Urban Pulse a collaboration between Yale University and the Resilient Cities Network supported by the Rockefeller Foundation to address climate, health and equity, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Through this scoping grant, we generate actionable knowledge to build urban climate and health resilience, foster civic and institutional engagement, and support evidence-based policies and programs – increasing the capacity of city systems and urban dwellers to thrive.

source :

https://resilientcitiesnetwork.org/downloadable_resources/Publications/Urban%20Pulse%20-%20Climate%20Health%20and%20Equity_executive_summary.pdf