World Health Day, on 7 April, marks the founding of the World Health Organization and is an opportunity to draw worldwide attention to a subject of major importance to global health each year. In 2008, World Health Day focuses on the need to protect health from the adverse effects of climate change. The theme “protecting health from climate change” puts health at the centre of the global dialogue about climate change. WHO selected this theme in recognition that climate change is posing ever growing threats to global public health security.

Through increased collaboration, the global community will be better prepared to cope with climate-related health challenges worldwide. Examples of such collaborative actions are: strengthening surveillance and control of infectious diseases, ensuring safer use of diminishing water supplies, and coordinating health action in emergencies.

Climate change: an issue for the health sector

Health hazards from climate change are diverse and global in nature. The hazards range from higher risks of extreme weather events to changes in the dynamics of infectious diseases. Many of the leading killer diseases are sensitive to climatic conditions; their incidence and spread are likely to be affected by changing weather patterns.

The health impacts of climate change are already evident in different ways: more people are dying from excessive heat than before, changes are occurring in the incidence of vector-borne diseases, and the pattern of natural disasters is altering.

These impacts will be disproportionately greater in vulnerable populations, which include the very young, elderly, medically infirm, poor and isolated populations. Vulnerability is also high in:

• areas with a high endemicity of climate-sensitive diseases, severe water scarcity, and low food production;
• small-island developing states and mountainous regions; and
• megacities and coastal areas in developing countries.

Action needs to be taken now

The health impacts of climate change will be difficult to reverse in a few years or decades. Yet, many of these possible impacts can be avoided or controlled. There are established steps in health and related sectors to reduce the exposure to and the effect of changing climate. For example, controlling disease vectors, reducing pollution from transport, and efficient land use and water management are well-known and tested measures that can help.

Moreover, many of the steps needed to prevent climate change have positive health benefits. For example, increased use of bicycles and public transport instead of personal cars in industrialized countries will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It will also improve air quality and lead to better respiratory health and fewer premature deaths. The increase in physical activity from cycling and walking may lead to less obesity and fewer obesity-related illness. The sooner these steps are taken, the greater their impact will be on public health.

Aims and objectives of World Health Day 2008

The objective of World Health Day 2008 is to catalyze public participation in the global campaign to protect health from the adverse effects of climate change. WHO aims to put public health at the centre of the UN agenda on climate change.
This is an opportunity for the international agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and governments as well as WHO to:

• Establish links between climate change and health and other development areas such as environment, food, energy, transport;
• Hold events/activities in countries to publicize issues related to the impact of climate change on health;
• Involve as wide a spectrum of the world population as possible in efforts to stabilize climate change;
• Create advocacy campaigns for generating momentum that compels governments, the international community, civil society and individuals to take action; Protect poor and vulnerable populations from the effects of climate change, especially in Africa.

Goals for World Health Day 2008

• Raise awareness and public understanding of the global and locally relevant health consequences of climate change.
• Advocate for interdisciplinary and intersectoral partnerships from the local to international level that seek to improve health through rapid deployment of mitigation strategies to stabilize climate change and development of proactive adaptation programmes to minimize health impacts.
• Generate effective actions by local communities, organizations, health systems and governments to reduce the impact of climate change on health through urgent application of mitigation and adaptation techniques.
• Demonstrate the health community’s role in facing the challenges globally and in regions, countries and communities.
• Spark commitment and action among governments, international organizations, donors, civil society, businesses and communities (especially among young people) to anchor health at the heart of the climate change agenda.

Key messages for World Health Day 2008

Health is one of the areas most affected by climate change – and it is being affected now

The science is clear. The earth is warming, the warming is accelerating, and human actions are responsible. If current warming trends remain uncontrolled, humanity will face more injury, disease and death related to natural disasters and heatwaves; higher rates of foodborne, waterborne, and vector-borne illness; and more premature deaths and disease related to air pollution. Moreover, in many parts of the world, large populations will be displaced by rising sea level and affected by drought and famine. As glaciers melt, the hydrological cycle shifts and the productivity of arable land changes. We are beginning to be able to measure some of these effects on health even now.

The health impacts of climate change will hit the poor hardest

The physical effects of climate change will vary in different geographical locations. The human health impacts from climate change are further modified by such conditions as level of development, poverty and education, public health infrastructure, land use practices and political structure. Initially, developing countries will be hit the hardest. Countries with high levels of poverty and malnutrition, weak health infrastructures and/or political unrest will be the least able to cope. Moreover, if we fail to address climate change and its effects on health, we risk jeopardizing even further our ability to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

Traditional public health tools are important components of effective response to climate change

Clean water and sanitation; safe and adequate food; immunization; disease surveillance and response; safe and effective disease vector control; and disaster preparedness are all critical components of public health practices that are also adaptations to climate change. These programmes need to be strengthened globally with special concentration of effort in high-risk locations and populations in order to prevent climate-related injury, disease and death.

Cross-sector, interdisciplinary partnerships are necessary to meet this global health threat

Climate change is wide ranging, and effective adaptation will require the building of partnerships to leverage the expertise of government agencies, intergovernmental and nongovernmental organizations, industry and professional groups and local communities. Decisions affecting urban planning, transport, energy supply, food production, land use and water resources affect both climate and health. Collaboration across all these sectors is needed to find the innovative and effective solutions that will stabilize climate and protect health.

Action must begin now to protect health by applying both adaptation and mitigation

Scientific uncertainty persists about the possibility and timing of abrupt and catastrophic climate change if temperatures continue to rise. This makes it urgent for action to begin now to stabilize the climate through strong and effective mitigation undertaken simultaneously with adaptation activities to prevent increases in foreseeable climate-related illnesses. Full participation of the health sector in national and international processes for mitigation and adaptation to climate change is essential.

Toolkit for event organizers

This toolkit is intended to help you in planning activities for World Health Day 2008 on the theme “protecting health from climate change.” It provides information on how different sectors – including individuals, institutions, organizations, or government agencies involved in public health from the local to international level – can play a role in the celebrations. Although events should be tailored according to the cultural, social and economic conditions in each country, we believe the ideas in this toolkit will stimulate a truly global celebration and will anchor health at the heart of the climate change agenda.

:: Download the toolkit [pdf 162kb]

The material from this toolkit may be reproduced, adapted, translated and otherwise used in publications and events related to World Health Day 2008. The name "World Health Day 2008" may be used in connection with your World Health Day publications and events. But the name and emblem of WHO may not be used. This toolkit may not be used in connection with the promotion of specific commercial companies or products.

OTHER RESOURCES

"Did you know?"
These documents describe the key messages related to the theme of World Health Day 2008: climate change and health. The messages are customized for different target groups and sectors.

Key messages for the general public [pdf 426kb]
Key messages for health professionals [pdf 429kb]
Key messages for young people (16-24 years old) [pdf 422kb]
Key messages for local authorities [pdf 424kb]
Annex I: reducing your carbon footprint can be good for your health (list of mitigating actions) [pdf 457kb]
Annex II: reducing the carbon footprint of the health sector [pdf 430kb]

Identifiers
These graphical images can be used to brand promotional and informative material for World Health day 2008. The images are available in six languages ((Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish)) and five colors, both in JPG and EPS format.

For further information: www.who.org