Climate change
Climate change has a wide range of health effects. Higher temperatures and longer, hotter summers are causing problems for an increasing number of people. Measures to counteract these effects (climate mitigation), and measures to deal with them (climate adaptation), provide opportunities to improve our health.
Urgent need for research into the health effects of climate change
Climate change and climate measures are having an ever-increasing impact on our health. That is why research into these effects is urgently needed. ZonMw commissioned Maastricht University, Wageningen University & Research and the National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) to draw up the Climate and Health Knowledge Agenda (in Dutch). This knowledge agenda identifies the most important knowledge gaps. Through the Climate and Health and Climate and Health 2 programmes, as well as other programmes, we aim to develop knowledge into the health effects of climate change and ensure this knowledge can be put into practice.
View the Dutch interactive infographic on the health effects of climate change
Why an integrated approach is needed
Health is still given too little attention in the response to climate change. At the same time, there is a cumulative effect. Heat, pollen and poor air quality often occur together, and vulnerable groups are often more severely affected by these effects. This calls for an integrated approach. This means that research, policy and practice must work together.
The GoHot consortium focuses on such an integrated approach. This consortium builds on 2 previous pilot projects funded by ZonMw and translates knowledge about the health risks of heat and pollen into practical guidelines. These are intended to help reduce the burden of disease.
Heat stress
Heat stress is perhaps one of the best-known and most noticeable effects of climate change on health. By heat stress, we mean adverse health effects that arise during a period of persistently high temperatures. The specific effects and the temperature at which they occur vary from person to person. The adverse health effects of heat stress can be physical as well as mental.
ZonMw funds various heat stress projects. These projects demonstrate that protection against heat requires a range of measures. These include greenery and shade in the living environment, cooler indoor spaces, water supply points and attention to the social aspect, such as looking out for one another. Municipalities and public health services are preparing for this with local heat action plans, as is the case in Rotterdam (in Dutch).
Pollen and allergies
Higher temperatures are causing some plants and trees to flower earlier. As a result, the hay fever season starts earlier and lasts longer. The total amount of pollen may also increase. In addition, pollen can cause more severe allergic reactions, and we are encountering different types of pollen due to a changing climate.
One of the projects funded by ZonMw developed a ‘Tree Compass’ (in Dutch). This compass shows how allergenic different trees can be. It is intended as a practical tool. Project leader Letty de Weger explains the importance of diversity in vegetation for people with hay fever (in Dutch).
Sustainable Healthcare
The healthcare sector also has an impact on the climate and the environment. A project on sustainable healthcare assessed the climate and environmental impact of healthcare in individual hospitals. The researchers examined common healthcare processes in the accident and emergency, surgery and intensive care departments. Project lead Hugo Touw discusses practical approaches to making healthcare processes in these departments more sustainable (in Dutch).
Urban and rural areas
Climate change affects the health of people living in urban and rural areas in different ways. The consequences and solutions may vary from one area to another.
Urban areas
In urban areas, the impact of climate change on health is increasing. This includes heat stress, changes in water quality and changes in plant diversity. The BENIGN project is using living labs in 3 municipalities to investigate how blue and green infrastructure can contribute to a healthy urban living environment.
Rural areas
The MANTRA project links climate adaptation solutions to health risks and other challenges facing local communities. Through 3 rural labs, researchers are working on solutions to climate change, health and rural development. The aim is to find solutions that enjoy broad support and that can be genuinely implemented.
Incorporating health into (climate) policy
ZonMw provides insight into the health effects of climate change and climate measures. This is in line with the ‘Health in All Policies’ approach. This means that health is considered in policies outside the health sector. Major societal challenges, such as transport, housing and energy, offer vital opportunities to improve health as well. This broad approach is linked to the One Health and Planetary Health approaches.
KIN
ZonMw participates in the KIN, the Dutch Climate Research Initiative. This coordinating body falls under the remit of NWO and was established in collaboration with the KNAW. The KIN promotes collaboration and knowledge-sharing between researchers, policymakers and societal partners. The aim is to accelerate the transition to a climate-neutral and climate-resilient society.
ZonMw is contributing to the KIN transition programme ‘Transition to Planetary Health’.
Healthy living environment
Climate change is one of the themes within the ZonMw-wide societal issue Healthy Living Environment. By protecting people from risks such as the effects of climate change, infectious diseases and environmental hazards, the living environment can make a positive contribution to health. Promoting healthy behaviour, such as sufficient physical activity and a balanced diet, also plays a role in this.
