There are numerous ongoing and emerging threats to health equity, such as climate change, artificial intelligence, lack of access to insurance, and disparities in exposure to adverse childhood experiences which can impact health for a lifetime. The P4HE Collaborative emphasizes the importance of understanding these threats to health equity and addressing them through cross-sector collaboration. This blog discusses climate change and how collaborators can work together to address the challenges that climate change presents to health equity.
Climate change poses significant threats to health, driving inequity by disproportionately affecting children living in poverty, for example, through increased instances of respiratory diseases such as asthma. An estimated 88% of climate-related disease is borne by children. Low-income communities are more at-risk during disasters, which are increasing in frequency and severity due to climate change. These communities frequently reside in areas more exposed to pollutants, often due to historical practices like redlining and have underlying health conditions which make them more vulnerable. Additionally, low-income communities and communities of color are more likely to live along the coast, making them particularly susceptible to severe storms and flooding. This is often due to historical and economic factors, where cheaper land and housing are situated in higher-risk areas such as coastal zones. As a result, these communities face greater exposure to environmental hazards and are less likely to have the resources to relocate or improve their living conditions. Children in these areas are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses and respiratory issues as summers grow hotter and air quality deteriorates.
Here are several ways different sectors can work together to overcome the challenges posed by climate change to health equity:
- Advocates can push for comprehensive policies aimed at reducing carbon emissions and promoting renewable energy sources, specifically targeting initiatives that benefit children’s health and creating safe environments.
- Researchers can conduct studies on the health impacts of climate change and develop strategies to protect young and vulnerable populations from climate-related health risks.
- Communities can organize local clean-up efforts, tree-planting initiatives, and other grassroots activities to mitigate the environmental effects of climate change.
- Philanthropists can fund projects that address environmental health issues and support initiatives aimed at enhancing community resilience.
- Policymakers can implement regulations to reduce pollution, promote sustainability, and ensure that climate policies prioritize health equity, particularly protecting and improving the environments in which children live, learn, and play.
Individuals and organizations working in these sectors can create comprehensive and resilient changes to combat the health impacts of climate change to protect and support the most vulnerable in their communities.
Interested in learning more?
- Check out our P4HE resource Climate Change as a Threat Multiplier.
- Subscribe to our P4HE Collaborative Newsletter to get notified when we post our resources from the webinar, Overcoming Threats to Health Equity: Today and Tomorrow.
- Stay tuned to our Learn page for updates on our upcoming programming.