Publications
Publication in Prehospital and Disaster Medicine by a.o. Madeleen Helmer (head of the RC/RC Climate Centre)
November 26 2008by RC/RC Climate Centre & IFRC
The Health Impacts of Climate Change: getting started on a new theme.
By Ms Kristie Ebi (IPCC), Ms Madeleen Helmer (RC/RC Climate Centre) and Mr Jari Vainio (IFRC)
Abstract
Climate change is widely acknowledged as a key global challenge for the 21st century, and is projected to significantly affect population health and human well-being. All of the climate change-related changes in weather patterns will affect human health,from boosting mental well-being to mortality from largescale disasters. Human health can be affected both directly and indirectly. For various reasons, the health sector has been slow in responding to the projected health impacts of climate change. To effectively prepare for and cope with climate change impacts, public health must move from a focus on surveillance and response to a greater emphasis on prediction and prevention. The targeted agenda program dialogue identified three priorities for climate change related health actions: heat waves,vector-borne diseases; and malnutrition.
How to obtain the full article?
This article was published in the journal Prehospital and Disaster Medicine. Vol. 23-4 which can be accessed via http://pdm.medicine.wisc.edu 
Or contact the climate centre and request a copy of the full article: climatecentre@redcross.nl
Main topics:
- Disaster Management
- Health and Care
- Early warning early action
- Advocacy
- Communications
- Community risk reduction
- Youth
- Getting started
Disaster Management
Climate change can act as a catalyst for enhanced disaster management.
Health and Care
Many national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies will be touched by the health implications of climate change.
Early warning early action
Routinely taking humanitarian action before a disaster or health emergency happens, making full use of scientific information on all timescales.
Advocacy
The Red Cross and Red Crescent never works in isolation. Partnerships are more important than ever in the context of global warming.
Communications
The global climate is changing and the past no longer explains the present.
Community risk reduction
The Red Cross and Red Crescent has traditionally focused on response. But now other aspects, including risk reduction, are also given priority.
Youth
Red Cross Red Crescent youth take action to reduce the impacts of climate change.
Getting started
The Red Cross Red Crescent has a growing body of experience working on addressing climate change. Here’s how to use it to get started.
Take a look at Red Cross Red Crescent climate change activities on the worldmap
