Fragile Paradise: Health Impacts of Climate Change in Pacific Island Countries
Date
2016
Authors
McIver, Lachlan
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Abstract
Pacific island countries are among the most vulnerable in the
world to the impacts of climate change, including the many and
varied effects on human health. The vast majority of these
health impacts are expected to be negative and the burden of
climate change-attributable ill-health will be maldistributed,
with the greatest suffering likely to be experienced by the poor.
The objectives of the research described in this thesis were:
a) To critically appraise various methods of assessing climate
change and health vulnerabilities in Pacific island countries;
b) To establish the key climate-sensitive health risks in each
country; and
c) To develop an evidence base for health systems adaptation to
climate change in the Pacific region.
Thirteen countries participated in this regional climate change
and health vulnerability assessment and adaptation planning
project between 2011 and 2013: Cook Islands, Federated States of
Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau,
Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. This project,
supported by the World Health Organization South Pacific office,
employed a range of quantitative and qualitative techniques in
the assessment and stratification of climate change and health
risks for each country and the development of regional and
country-specific adaptation strategies.
The thesis presents the results of these analyses and describes
in detail the predominant risks to health posed by climate change
in the Pacific. These include: injuries and trauma; compromised
safety and security of water and food (leading to malnutrition
and gastrointestinal infections); vector-borne diseases;
heat-related illnesses; zoonoses; respiratory ailments;
psychological and emotional ill-health; increasing morbidity and
mortality from non-communicable diseases; population pressures;
and increased strain and pressure on health systems in these
small island developing states.
Correspondingly, the adaptation themes common across the region
relate to improving the safety and security of food supplies and
water, sanitation and hygiene facilities; enhancing infectious
disease surveillance and response capabilities; building
resilience within health systems and of health infrastructure;
and increasing the accuracy and efficiency of communication and
collaboration between the health sector and other agencies.
The results of these assessments have been compiled into national
climate change and health adaptation plans for each country, and
synthesised in a World Health Organization report published in
late 2015.
The thesis summarises the main categories of adaptation
strategies planned around the region and the health systems and
policy landscape within which adaptation is taking place. In
doing so, the thesis combines overviews of the vulnerabilities
and adaptation plans from a regional perspective, along with
examples of specific countries, including Federated States of
Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati and Vanuatu.
The overall aim of this work is to enhance the ability of
individuals, communities and health systems in the region to
withstand the pressures and hazards posed by climate change, by
providing a body of scientific evidence and a basis for sound
policies aimed at protecting the health of Pacific Island people.
It is clear that this will necessarily involve substantial
support from wealthier countries – the messages are
increasingly clear; the audience is global; and the timing is
urgent.
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Keywords
climate change, health, Pacific islands
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Thesis (PhD)
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