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Naser K, Haq Z, Naughton BD. The Impact of Climate Change on Health Services in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematised Review and Thematic Analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2024; 21:434. [PMID: 38673345 PMCID: PMC11050668 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21040434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of climate change on health services as categorized by the WHO's Building Blocks for creating Climate-Resilient Health Systems. Objective: The objective was to conduct a systematized review of the published literature concerning the impact of climate change, using a thematic analysis approach to address our aim and identify areas for further research. Design: A search was conducted on 8 February 2022 using the Embase and PubMed research databases. Peer-reviewed scientific studies that were published in English from 2012 to 2022, which described at least one report concerning the impact of climate change on health services in LMICs, were included. Studies were organized based on their key characteristics, which included the date of publication, objective, method, limitations, participants, and geographical focus. The Mixed-Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used to assess the risk of bias in the included studies. Results: Twenty-three studies were included in this review. Five areas of health services which align with the WHO building blocks framework were impacted by climate change. These health service areas included: (1) Service Delivery, (2) Human Resources, (3) Health Finance, (4) Healthcare Products and Technology, and (5) Leadership and Governance. However, research concerning the impact of climate change on health information systems, which is part of the WHO building blocks framework, did not feature in our study. The climatic effects were divided into three themes: meteorological effects, extreme weather events, and general. The research in this study found that climate change had a detrimental impact on a variety of health services, with service delivery being the most frequently reported. The risk of bias varied greatly between studies. Conclusions: Climate change has negatively impacted health services in a variety of different ways, and without further actions, this problem is likely to worsen. The WHO building blocks have provided a useful lens through which to review health services. We built an aligned framework to describe our findings and to support future climate change impact assessments in this area. We propose that further research concerning the impact of climate change on health information systems would be valuable, as well as further education and responsible policy changes to help build resilience in health services affected by climate change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamar Naser
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, College Green, D02PN40 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Zaeem Haq
- Save the Children St Vincent House, 30 Orange Street, London WC2H 7HH, UK
| | - Bernard D. Naughton
- School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Trinity College Dublin, College Green, D02PN40 Dublin, Ireland
- Centre for Pharmaceutical Medicine Research, Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Kings College London, London SE1 9NH, UK
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Crookes AE, Warren MA, Meyer S. When threat is imminent, does character matter for climate action? Exploring environmental concerns, well-being, and character strengths in the Pacific Island Countries. SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1177/00812463221129361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Pacific Island Countries are particularly vulnerable to the environmental and economic consequences of climate change including both direct and indirect impacts on individuals’ mental health. There is a need to better understand the links between environmental attitudes, pro-environmental behaviours, and well-being in this region and to develop cost-effective, culturally informed interventions. The present study explored the level of environmental concerns and attitudes among Pacific Island university students and how this relates to their overall well-being, the nature of their current pro-environmental actions, and the potential for individuals’ character strengths to predict pro-environmental attitudes. College students ( n = 269) from six Pacific Island Countries completed a survey measuring their character strengths, well-being, and environmental support. As expected, the young adults had very high levels of concern about environmental threats, and this was related to their overall well-being. The young adults felt a personal responsibility to protect the environments around their local communities, which suggests national climate change strategies should be embedded within this localised context. Character strengths were highly valued among the Pacific Island sample and showed some association with (specifically) support for environmental actions and policies. Given the high levels of environmental concern in the sample, the character strengths approach likely provides a bridge between emotional engagement and active allyship in some individuals. Therefore, further research should investigate the role of character strengths in empowering pacific students to play a more leading role in policy change.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annie E Crookes
- School of Law and Social Sciences, The University of the South Pacific, Fiji
| | - Meg A Warren
- College of Business and Economics, Western Washington University, USA
| | - Sierra Meyer
- College of Business and Economics, Western Washington University, USA
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An Oceania Urban Design Agenda Linking Ecosystem Services, Nature-Based Solutions, Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Wellbeing. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su132212660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Many coastal peri-urban and urban populations in Oceania are heavily reliant on terrestrial and marine ecosystem services for subsistence and wellbeing. However, climate change and urbanisation have put significant pressure on ecosystems and compelled nations and territories in Oceania to urgently adapt. This article, with a focus on Pacific Island Oceania but some insight from Aotearoa New Zealand, reviews key literature focused on ecosystem health and human health and wellbeing in Oceania and the important potential contribution of nature-based solutions to limiting the negative impacts of climate change and urbanisation. The inextricable link between human wellbeing and provision of ecosystem services is well established. However, given the uniqueness of Oceania, rich in cultural and biological diversity and traditional ecological knowledge, these links require further examination leading potentially to a new conceptualisation of wellbeing frameworks in relation to human/nature relationships. Rapidly urbanising Oceania has a growing body of rural, peri-urban and urban nature-based solutions experience to draw from. However, important gaps in knowledge and practice remain. Pertinently, there is a need, potential—and therefore opportunity—to define an urban design agenda positioned within an urban ecosystem services framework, focused on human wellbeing and informed by traditional ecological knowledge, determined by and relevant for those living in the islands of Oceania as a means to work towards effective urban climate change adaptation.
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Kelman I, Ayeb-Karlsson S, Rose-Clarke K, Prost A, Ronneberg E, Wheeler N, Watts N. A review of mental health and wellbeing under climate change in small island developing states (SIDS). ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS : ERL [WEB SITE] 2021; 16:033007. [PMID: 34149865 PMCID: PMC8208624 DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/abe57d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Revised: 02/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Small island developing states (SIDS) are often at the forefront of climate change impacts, including those related to health, but information on mental health and wellbeing is typically underreported. To help address this research lacuna, this paper reviews research about mental health and wellbeing under climate change in SIDS. Due to major differences in the literature's methodologies, results, and analyses, the method is an overview and qualitative evidence synthesis of peer-reviewed publications. The findings show that mental health and wellbeing in the context of climate change have yet to feature prominently and systematically in research covering SIDS. It seems likely that major adverse mental health and wellbeing impacts linked to climate change impacts will affect SIDS peoples. Similar outcomes might also emerge when discussing climate change related situations, scenarios, and responses, irrespective of what has actually happened thus far due to climate change. In the context of inadequate health systems and stigmatisation of mental health diagnoses and treatments, as tends to occur globally, climate change narratives might present an opening for conversations about addressing mental health and wellbeing issues for SIDS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilan Kelman
- University College London (UCL), London, United Kingdom
- University of Agder, 4630 Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Sonja Ayeb-Karlsson
- University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RH, United Kingdom
- United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security, D-53113 Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Audrey Prost
- University College London (UCL), London, United Kingdom
| | - Espen Ronneberg
- Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), Apia, Samoa
| | - Nicola Wheeler
- Consultant (World Health Organization), Associate (Outsight International), London, United Kingdom
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Cauchi JP, Bambrick H, Moncada S, Correa-Velez I. Nutritional diversity and community perceptions of health and importance of foods in Kiribati: a case study. Food Secur 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12571-020-01128-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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A programme to treat chronic hepatitis B in Kiribati: progress and challenges. Western Pac Surveill Response J 2020; 11:21-25. [PMID: 33936856 PMCID: PMC8053900 DOI: 10.5365/wpsar.2019.10.4.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Problem Over 290 million people worldwide suffer from chronic hepatitis B (CHB), with the highest prevalence in the Pacific islands. Mortality attributable to this disease exceeds that from HIV, tuberculosis and malaria combined in this region. Context CHB is a major health problem in the Pacific island nation of Kiribati. Medical care is complicated by vast expanses of ocean separating population centres in its constituent islands. Birth-dose hepatitis B immunization rates need improvement. High rates of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and co-infection with hepatitis B and hepatitis D in Kiribati make treatment less effective. Staff allocation, training and retention are difficult. Limited infrastructure creates challenges in training, communications, laboratory testing and record-keeping. Action We have established a CHB treatment programme in Kiribati based on World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and local needs. It includes direct patient care; laboratory, radiology and pharmacy support; public education; training; and data management. Thousands of individuals have been screened, and 845 hepatitis B-positive patients have had blood sent to Australia for molecular testing. Patient education pamphlets, medical training programmes and treatment protocols have been developed. Seventy-nine patients have started treatment. Regular onsite visits by technical experts are scheduled throughout the year. Lessons learnt and discussion This is the first national CHB treatment programme established in the Pacific islands region. Unique challenges exist in Kiribati, as they do in each nation affected by CHB. Close engagement with local partners, knowledge of the barriers involved, flexibility, advocacy, and support from WHO and volunteer technical experts are key attributes of a successful treatment programme.
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Measuring Peripherality as a Proxy for Autonomous Community Coping Capacity: A Case Study from Bua Province, Fiji Islands, for Improving Climate Change Adaptation. SOCIAL SCIENCES 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/socsci8080225] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Over the past thirty years, externally-driven interventions for climate-change adaptation in rural Pacific Island contexts have largely failed to be effective or sustained. One reason is that traditional (culturally-grounded) autonomous community coping capacity has been overlooked, many external agencies viewing all such communities as both homogenous and helpless. A community’s autonomous coping capacity can be proxied by peripherality, a measure of the degree to which a particular community in archipelagic (island) countries engages with core agendas. In order to gauge the depth, breadth and efficacy of autonomous coping capacity, three indices of community peripherality were developed from research within thirteen communities in (peripheral-biased) Bua Province in Fiji. Index 1 concerns geography (travel time/cost to town), Index 2 concerns population and employment (community size, age distribution, employment), and Index 3 concerns tradition and global awareness (mobile phones per capita, traditional/western healthcare preferences, inherent coping capacity, diet, water and energy security). Mapping of Indices 1–3 allows the nature of community peripherality in Bua to be captured using a readily-reproducible tool for rapid assessment in similar contexts. It is demonstrated that an understanding of peripherality (as a proxy for autonomous community coping capacity) can inform the design of future interventions for climate-change adaptation.
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Cauchi JP, Correa-Velez I, Bambrick H. Climate change, food security and health in Kiribati: a narrative review of the literature. Glob Health Action 2019; 12:1603683. [PMID: 31062666 PMCID: PMC6507958 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2019.1603683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Climate change is recognised as having a ‘multiplier effect’ on food insecurity and adverse health experiences of communities in the Pacific region. Islands are especially at risk due to their limited land availability, population pressures and, in the case of atolls, their low-lying topography making them vulnerable to sea level rise. Aim: This review examines the literature describing the relationship between climate change, food security and health in Kiribati. Method: A narrative review was conducted, looking at both peer-reviewed and non-peer-reviewed literature available online from 1 January 2008 to 14 August 2018, the search date. Sources from three databases of peer-reviewed literature, Google and additional sources from reference lists were included in the review. Results: Thirty-seven items were included in this review. These show climate change is having a noticeable impact on food security and health in Kiribati. Four themes were identified from the literature that provide different perspectives to the problem outlined. Conclusion: Climate change is a pressing concern for the government of Kiribati and communities alike, and yet the problem is worsening, not improving. Further research is required to look at effective policies and cultural perspectives to address this problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- John P Cauchi
- a School of Public Health and Social Work , Queensland University of Technology , Kelvin Grove , QLD , Australia.,b Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation , Queensland University of Technology , Kelvin Grove , QLD , Australia
| | - Ignacio Correa-Velez
- a School of Public Health and Social Work , Queensland University of Technology , Kelvin Grove , QLD , Australia.,b Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation , Queensland University of Technology , Kelvin Grove , QLD , Australia
| | - Hilary Bambrick
- a School of Public Health and Social Work , Queensland University of Technology , Kelvin Grove , QLD , Australia.,b Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation , Queensland University of Technology , Kelvin Grove , QLD , Australia
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Schnitter R, Verret M, Berry P, Chung Tiam Fook T, Hales S, Lal A, Edwards S. An Assessment of Climate Change and Health Vulnerability and Adaptation in Dominica. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2018; 16:E70. [PMID: 30597870 PMCID: PMC6339242 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16010070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 12/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
A climate change and health vulnerability and adaptation assessment was conducted in Dominica, a Caribbean small island developing state located in the Lesser Antilles. The assessment revealed that the country's population is already experiencing many impacts on health and health systems from climate variability and change. Infectious diseases as well as food and waterborne diseases pose continued threats as climate change may exacerbate the related health risks. Threats to food security were also identified, with particular concern for food production systems. The findings of the assessment included near-term and long-term adaptation options that can inform actions of health sector decision-makers in addressing health vulnerabilities and building resilience to climate change. Key challenges include the need for enhanced financial and human resources to build awareness of key health risks and increase adaptive capacity. Other small island developing states interested in pursuing a vulnerability and adaptation assessment may find this assessment approach, key findings, analysis, and lessons learned useful.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebekka Schnitter
- Climate Change and Innovation Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0P8, Canada.
| | - Marielle Verret
- Climate Change and Innovation Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0P8, Canada.
| | - Peter Berry
- Climate Change and Innovation Bureau, Health Canada, Ottawa, ON K1A 0P8, Canada.
- Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada.
| | - Tanya Chung Tiam Fook
- Faculty of Environmental Studies and Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research, York University, Toronto, ON M3J 1P3, Canada.
| | - Simon Hales
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Newtown, Wellington 6242, New Zealand.
| | - Aparna Lal
- Research School of Population Health, Australian National University, Acton, Canberra 2600, Australia.
| | - Sally Edwards
- Pan American Health Organization, Washington, DC 20037, USA.
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McIver L, Kim R, Woodward A, Hales S, Spickett J, Katscherian D, Hashizume M, Honda Y, Kim H, Iddings S, Naicker J, Bambrick H, McMichael AJ, Ebi KL. Health Impacts of Climate Change in Pacific Island Countries: A Regional Assessment of Vulnerabilities and Adaptation Priorities. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2016; 124:1707-1714. [PMID: 26645102 PMCID: PMC5089897 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1509756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2015] [Accepted: 11/30/2015] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Between 2010 and 2012, the World Health Organization Division of Pacific Technical Support led a regional climate change and health vulnerability assessment and adaptation planning project, in collaboration with health sector partners, in 13 Pacific island countries-Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu. OBJECTIVE We assessed the vulnerabilities of Pacific island countries to the health impacts of climate change and planned adaptation strategies to minimize such threats to health. METHODS This assessment involved a combination of quantitative and qualitative techniques. The former included descriptive epidemiology, time series analyses, Poisson regression, and spatial modeling of climate and climate-sensitive disease data, in the few instances where this was possible; the latter included wide stakeholder consultations, iterative consensus building, and expert opinion. Vulnerabilities were ranked using a "likelihood versus impact" matrix, and adaptation strategies were prioritized and planned accordingly. RESULTS The highest-priority climate-sensitive health risks in Pacific island countries included trauma from extreme weather events, heat-related illnesses, compromised safety and security of water and food, vector-borne diseases, zoonoses, respiratory illnesses, psychosocial ill-health, non-communicable diseases, population pressures, and health system deficiencies. Adaptation strategies relating to these climate change and health risks could be clustered according to categories common to many countries in the Pacific region. CONCLUSION Pacific island countries are among the most vulnerable in the world to the health impacts of climate change. This vulnerability is a function of their unique geographic, demographic, and socioeconomic characteristics combined with their exposure to changing weather patterns associated with climate change, the health risks entailed, and the limited capacity of the countries to manage and adapt in the face of such risks. Citation: McIver L, Kim R, Woodward A, Hales S, Spickett J, Katscherian D, Hashizume M, Honda Y, Kim H, Iddings S, Naicker J, Bambrick H, McMichael AJ, Ebi KL. 2016. Health impacts of climate change in Pacific island countries: a regional assessment of vulnerabilities and adaptation priorities. Environ Health Perspect 124:1707-1714; http://dx.doi.org/10.1289/ehp.1509756.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lachlan McIver
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
- Division of Pacific Technical Support, Western Pacific Regional Office, World Health Organization, Suva, Fiji
- Address correspondence to L. McIver, National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, A.C.T., 2601. Telephone: 61 3 9421 6754. E-mail:
| | - Rokho Kim
- Division of Pacific Technical Support, Western Pacific Regional Office, World Health Organization, Suva, Fiji
| | - Alistair Woodward
- School of Public Health, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Simon Hales
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Jeffery Spickett
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health Impact Assessment, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | - Dianne Katscherian
- World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Environmental Health Impact Assessment, Curtin University, Perth, Australia
| | | | - Yasushi Honda
- Faculty of Health and Sport Science, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Ho Kim
- Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Steven Iddings
- Division of Pacific Technical Support, Western Pacific Regional Office, World Health Organization, Suva, Fiji
| | - Jyotishma Naicker
- Division of Pacific Technical Support, Western Pacific Regional Office, World Health Organization, Suva, Fiji
| | - Hilary Bambrick
- Centre for Health Research, School of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Anthony J. McMichael
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
| | - Kristie L. Ebi
- School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
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Natuzzi ES, Joshua C, Shortus M, Reubin R, Dalipanda T, Ferran K, Aumua A, Brodine S. Defining Population Health Vulnerability Following an Extreme Weather Event in an Urban Pacific Island Environment: Honiara, Solomon Islands. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2016; 95:307-14. [PMID: 27091867 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.16-0177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2016] [Accepted: 03/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Extreme weather events are common and increasing in intensity in the southwestern Pacific region. Health impacts from cyclones and tropical storms cause acute injuries and infectious disease outbreaks. Defining population vulnerability to extreme weather events by examining a recent flood in Honiara, Solomon Islands, can help stakeholders and policymakers adapt development to reduce future threats. The acute and subacute health impacts following the April 2014 floods were defined using data obtained from hospitals and clinics, the Ministry of Health and in-country World Health Organization office in Honiara. Geographical information system (GIS) was used to assess morbidity and mortality, and vulnerability of the health system infrastructure and households in Honiara. The April flash floods were responsible for 21 acute deaths, 33 injuries, and a diarrhea outbreak that affected 8,584 people with 10 pediatric deaths. A GIS vulnerability assessment of the location of the health system infrastructure and households relative to rivers and the coastline identified 75% of the health infrastructure and over 29% of Honiara's population as vulnerable to future hydrological events. Honiara, Solomon Islands, is a rapidly growing, highly vulnerable urban Pacific Island environment. Evaluation of the mortality and morbidity from the April 2014 floods as well as the infectious disease outbreaks that followed allows public health specialists and policy makers to understand the health system and populations vulnerability to future shocks. Understanding the negative impacts natural disaster have on people living in urban Pacific environments will help the government as well as development partners in crafting resilient adaptation development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eileen S Natuzzi
- World Health Organization, Solomon Islands Office, Honiara, Solomon Islands. San Diego State University, School of Public Health, San Diego, California.
| | - Cynthia Joshua
- Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Solomon Islands, Honiara, Solomon Islands
| | - Matthew Shortus
- World Health Organization, Vanuatu Office, Port Villa, Vanuatu
| | - Reginald Reubin
- Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, Honiara, Solomon Islands
| | - Tenneth Dalipanda
- Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Solomon Islands, Honiara, Solomon Islands
| | - Karen Ferran
- San Diego State University, School of Public Health, San Diego, California
| | - Audrey Aumua
- Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Suva, Fiji
| | - Stephanie Brodine
- San Diego State University, School of Public Health, San Diego, California
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McIver L, Hashizume M, Kim H, Honda Y, Pretrick M, Iddings S, Pavlin B. Assessment of Climate-sensitive Infectious Diseases in the Federated States of Micronesia. Trop Med Health 2014; 43:29-40. [PMID: 25859151 PMCID: PMC4361343 DOI: 10.2149/tmh.2014-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2014] [Accepted: 10/31/2014] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The health impacts of climate change are an issue of growing concern in the Pacific region. Prior to 2010, no formal, structured, evidence-based approach had been used to identify the most significant health risks posed by climate change in Pacific island countries. During 2010 and 2011, the World Health Organization supported the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) in performing a climate change and health vulnerability and adaptation assessment. This paper summarizes the priority climate-sensitive health risks in FSM, with a focus on diarrheal disease, its link with climatic variables and the implications of climate change. Methods: The vulnerability and adaptation assessment process included a review of the literature, extensive stakeholder consultations, ranking of climate-sensitive health risks, and analysis of the available long-term data on climate and climate-sensitive infectious diseases in FSM, which involved examination of health information data from the four state hospitals in FSM between 2000 and 2010; along with each state’s rainfall, temperature and El Niño-Southern Oscillation data. Generalized linear Poisson regression models were used to demonstrate associations between monthly climate variables and cases of climate-sensitive diseases at differing temporal lags. Results: Infectious diseases were among the highest priority climate-sensitive health risks identified in FSM, particularly diarrheal diseases, vector-borne diseases and leptospirosis. Correlation with climate data demonstrated significant associations between monthly maximum temperature and monthly outpatient cases of diarrheal disease in Pohnpei and Kosrae at a lag of one month and 0 to 3 months, respectively; no such associations were observed in Chuuk or Yap. Significant correlations between disease incidence and El Niño-Southern Oscillation cycles were demonstrated in Kosrae state. Conclusions: Analysis of the available data demonstrated significant associations between climate variables and climate-sensitive infectious diseases. This information should prove useful in implementing health system and community adaptation strategies to avoid the most serious impacts of climate change on health in FSM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lachlan McIver
- National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University , Canberra, Australia
| | - Masahiro Hashizume
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University , 1-12-4 Sakamoto, Nagasaki 852-8523 Japan
| | - Ho Kim
- Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University , Building 221, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul, Korea 151-742
| | - Yasushi Honda
- University of Tsukuba , 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0006, Japan
| | - Moses Pretrick
- Department of Health and Social Affairs , P.O. Box PS 70 Palikir, Pohnpei 96941, Federated States of Micronesia
| | - Steven Iddings
- World Health Organization , Sankat Chak Tomouk, Khan Daun Penh, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Boris Pavlin
- World Health Organization , 4th Floor, Aopi Centre, Waigani Drive, Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
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