Climate and Health

Pilot studies

The Climate and Health programme launched in 2020. Read about the pilot studies (only available in Dutch) that received funding for 2021-2023 in the first call for proposals. The programme is based on the Climate and Health Knowledge Agenda compiled by the University of Maastricht, Wageningen University & Research and the National Institute of Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), which surveys our current knowledge of the impact of climate change on human health, and identifies and prioritises knowledge needs. This is the knowledge required to reveal the effects of climate change and climate measures, and provide a basis for action. This ZonMw programme aims to develop knowledge and make it applicable, not least by encouraging collaboration.  

Climate and Health

The global climate is changing, and the effects are felt everywhere, including the Netherlands. These effects, including flooding, changes in temperature, drought and difficulties gaining access to water, have a major impact on public health. Other impacts range from temperature-related health effects, allergies, water- and vector-borne diseases, food-related health effects and UV radiation to health effects related to air quality. Climate mitigation and the side-effects of climate adaptation measures can also impact on health, including climate resilience and climate-friendly measures in healthcare, as part of efforts to achieve sustainable care.

Goal and focuses of programme

The purpose of the first ZonMw call for proposals on this subject was to support a pilot study lasting a maximum of two years to develop knowledge in this area, in order to provide a basis for action in the Dutch context. The focus is on collaboration with parties outside the healthcare sector who are involved in climate adaptation, with a view to a long-term partnership (network) between research groups and relevant stakeholders who might not otherwise work together.

Topics of first call

This call is focused on three topics selected from the Climate & Health Knowledge Agenda:

• Temperature-related health effects 
• Allergies
• Sustainable care

Duration and budget

The knowledge agenda requires a long-term programme. This was set in motion with the call for the first round of funding, totalling one million euro, which opened on 12 November 2020. The deadline for submission of proposals was 14 January 2021. In July 2021 we announced which projects would be awarded a grant for two years.

Download the Dutch knowledge agenda Climate and Health

‘Climate Adaptation and Health’ NWA programme

Another initiative is the ‘Climate Adaptation and Health’ programme, which is part of the National Science Agenda (NWA). Read about the projects being carried out by two research consortiums on our Climate change page. This programme, administered by ZonMw and the Dutch Research Council (NWO), is co-funded by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management (IenW), the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS), the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality (LNV) and the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations (BZK).

Committee

Chair

• Dr. J.M.M. (Sjaak) de Gouw

Vice-chair

• M. (Madeleen) Helmer

Members

• Drs. C.C. (Cathy) van Beek
• Ir. J.H.M. (Josine) van den Bogaard
• Prof. dr. J.M. (Jacqueline) Cramer
• Ir. A. (Adriaan) van Engelen
• Dr. J.C. (Hans) Gehrels
• Dr. J.N.G. (Hanneke) Oude Elberink
• M.A. (Margot) Ribberink

Observers

• M.A. (Michiel) Hoorweg, Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport
• V. (Viktor) Stöcker, Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport