DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 3: In this handout image suppled by COP28, Joseph Vipond from the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment at the Blue Zone during the UN Climate Change Conference COP28 at Expo City Dubai on December 3, 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The COP28, which is running from November 30 through December 12, is bringing together stakeholders, including international heads of state and other leaders, scientists, environmentalists, indigenous peoples representatives, activists and others to discuss and agree on the implementation of global measures towards mitigating the effects of climate change. (Photo by Walaa Alshaer /COP28 via Getty Images)

COP28 via Getty Images

Every $1 invested in climate health solutions could yield up to $68 in benefits for low and middle-income countries, according to a new analysis.

The report by the World Resources Institute, supported by the Rockefeller Foundation, claims investing in early warning systems and disease surveillance could help communities become more resilient to the impacts of climate change.

The study also calculates for every $1 invested by low and middle-income countries in these services can yield $4 to $68 in economic benefits, depending on local conditions and implementation.

It argues such investments could enable earlier, more targeted-action, which reduce illness and death, lowering emergency response costs and easing long-term strain on health systems.

The study says climate change is emerging as one of the defining public health challenges of this era, with floods and extreme weather events accelerating the spread of infectious diseases and disrupting healthcare systems.

This includes malaria, dengue, cholera, diarrhoea and heatstroke, which disproportionately affect more vulnerable populations.

It says without stronger action, low and middle-income countries could face nearly 16 million deaths and more than $20 trillion in economic losses by 2050 from climate-related health impacts.

But the report adds less than half of health ministries currently integrate climate data into national health surveillance systems, according to a forthcoming survey by the World Health Organization.

Carter Brandon, a senior fellow at the World Resources Institute, said the health impacts of climate change are increasing, but many of these impacts are treatable if resources are available, in an interview.

Brandon added there are still barriers between climate and health institutions in many countries around the world, with fewer than half of health ministry’s talking to their respective climate agencies.

He told me it is not just about improving patient-facing services, rather it is about improving upstream activities like disease tracking, early warning systems and making health facilities themselves more physically prepared for climate change.

“We have seen clinics far too often get flooded or their power cut, becoming unable to serve patients because the clinics themselves have not prepared for climate change,” said Brandon.

“It is also important we have early warning systems and emergency preparedness in order to be precautionary and avoid the risk in the first place.”

He added increasing health investments could have huge impacts in regions like Africa, where public health spending is relatively low.

“We are pitching to build capacity and change behaviours. These are low-cost investments, which could really pay off.”

The Rockefeller Foundation’s vice president for health, Manisha Bhinge said building capacity is “essential” both “in the moment and for the future”, in an interview.

Bhinge added much of the current global health architecture has been built around known diseases and stable environments, but the world is moving into a place of increasing uncertainty and increasing climate-related risks.

She said the report highlights the cost-effective nature of health interventions, which will help protect the lives and livelihoods of many communities, who are being directly impacted by climate threats.

“The report makes it clear we are shifting away from climate change just being the health sector’s problem. This is also now the agriculture sector’s problem, as well,” added Bhinge.

Commenting on the new research, Professor Melvin Samsom, group chief medical and sustainability officer at Bupa said the climate crisis is a health crisis, in an email.

Prof. Samsom added the report reinforces the urgent need for governments, health systems, and businesses to shift from a reactive approach to investing earlier in prevention and resilience.

“Investments in measures such as early warning systems, disease surveillance and public awareness campaigns can help protect vulnerable populations, reduce pressure on healthcare systems and strengthen long-term resilience,” he said.

“The evidence is clear that the health impacts of climate change are no longer a future challenge.

“Coordinated action across public health, infrastructure, urban planning, and the private sector is now critical to building healthier, more resilient communities.”