1. Research to leverage public health interventions to address adaptation to climate change. Dr Saqib Shahab Community Medicine Program, University of Alberta Bamako, 17 November 2008

2. Acknowledgements Dr Abdul Ghaffar RA, EMRO, WHO Professor Stephen Matlin, and the Global Forum for Health Research Strengthening the base: preparing health research for climate change Strengthening the base: innovation and convergence in climate change and public health

3. Aim How can research –inform and assist public health –at the operational and policy level –in the face of current and impending significant climate change

4. IPCC 2007

5. Objectives 1.Identify commonalities in climate change and public and environmental health research and intervention. 2.Discuss how integrating climate change, public health and environmental sustainability can have a synergistic impact.

6. Finding entry points for action and navigating dichotomies Mitigation Adaptation Research NORTH SOUTH

7. The 10/90 gap and need for innovative strategies The 10/90 gap in research and intervention in climate change. The 10/90 gap in research and intervention in public health. Innovative strategies for research in climate change and public health.

8. An un equal burden- mortality from climate change

9. Climate change will contribute only a small portion initially to overall preventable deaths DiseaseAnnual DeathsClimate change component (Deaths / % of total) Diarrhoeal Diseases 2 million47,000 (2%) Malaria1.1 million27,000 (2%) Malnutrition3.7 million77,000 (2%) Stern 2006, WHO

10. Shahab Global Forum Health Research 2008

11. Application of research and interventions Level of implementation Key tools IndividualEducation HouseholdEmpowerment CommunityInformation; resilience; facilitation Region / CountryPolicy; regulation; financing; equity GlobalCollaboration; equity; financing Shahab Global Forum Health Research 2008

12. Is research enough? Shahab Global Forum Health Research 2008

13. Where to begin? Primary vs. secondary vs. tertiary prevention Shahab Global Forum Health Research 2008

14. Public health approach Think global, act local Be inter sectoral Engage academia, government, civil society and communities Minimize contradictory messaging, duplication and wastage of resources.

15. Three key points Climate change should be an integral part of public health planning. Partnering with a wide variety of stakeholders, as appropriate, is essential. Climate change research to minimize public health impacts needs to be multidisciplinary, applicable to local contexts, and sustainable. Shahab Global Forum Update on Research for Health 2008

16. Incorporate climate change health impacts into public health planning Estimate current and future impacts of climate change when planning public health interventions For each public health intervention- assess if there will be an impact of climate change- and adjust for that. Climate change should be one of the variables when estimating the impact and outcomes of public health interventions. Shahab Global Forum Update on Research for Health 2008

17. Partner with stakeholders Partner with other stakeholders outside the health sector. Continue to advocate for mitigation as the ultimate goal to address climate change. Maximize the diffusion of innovations through civil society and the internet. Incorporate climate change mitigation and adaptation in intra- and inter-sectoral planning. Shahab Global Forum Update on Research for Health 2008

18. Support innovation, collaboration and knowledge translation in research Trans-disciplinary research funding. Knowledge translation and collaboration Surveillance systems that monitor the impact of climate change as an integral part of health status and assessment. Research translated into locally relevant, cost effective and sustainable interventions. Shahab Global Forum Update on Research for Health 2008

19. Urgent public health steps required NOW Protection and assurance of water supplies and sanitation Control for vector-borne diseases Health education and promotion, especially related to thermal stress. Inter sectoral approaches for improving environment, food security and alleviating poverty

20. Additional public health co benefits of incorporating climate change issues in health, environment, industry, urban planning Public transit systems-Improved air quality Healthy local diets and physical activity Increased social cohesion in the built environment Sustainable and greener manufacturing and reuse / recycling

21. Pragmatic approach Invest in public health now AND climate change adaptation / mitigation for the future Hope and advocate for the best, plan and prepare for the worst Investments in public health are beneficial irrespective of the climate change trajectory