Adapting to Climate-Related Health Risks: The Economic Case for Climate Services for Health

Many countries are unprepared for the growing toll that climate change is having on human health. This article from the World Resources Institute can help you to understand the value of upstream measures that help countries anticipate and prepare for climate-related impacts on health. It explains that every $1 invested in preparing for climate-caused health risks can yield up to $68 in economic benefits for low- and middle-income countries, such as through the development of early warning systems, disease surveillance, and other measures that reduce illness and death, thereby lowering emergency response costs and easing long-term strain on health systems. The report highlights how investing in preventative tools and services helps governments, hospitals, emergency responders, and communities better understand, prepare for, mitigate, and respond to the health impacts of extreme heat, weather disasters, and other climate risks.