Abstract
Climate change is one of the greatest global challenges and Pacific island countries are particularly vulnerable due to, among other factors, their geography, demography and level of economic development.A Health Impact Assessment (HIA) framework was used as a basis for the consideration of the potential health impacts of changes in the climate on the population of Vanuatu, to assess the risks and propose a range of potential adaptive responses appropriate for Vanuatu. The HIA process involved the participation of a broad range of stakeholders including expert sector representatives in the areas of bio-physical, socio-economic, infrastructure, environmental diseases and food, who provided informed comment and input into the understanding of the potential health impacts and development of adaptation strategies.The risk associated with each of these impacts was assessed with the application of a qualitative process that considered both the consequences and the likelihood of each of the potential health impacts occurring. Potential adaptation strategies and actions were developed which could be used to mitigate the identified health impacts and provide responses which could be used by the various sectors in Vanuatu to contribute to future decision making processes associated with the health impacts of climate change.
Highlights
That climate change is already having an impact on the global burden of morbidity and mortality has been stated in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 4th Assessment report, which indicates that these effects are likely to increase all around the globe (IPCC, 2007)
This research has identified many potential adaptation measures to reduce or mitigate the impact of climate change on human health in Vanuatu that consider the current level of development in the country
In the final analysis it may be that some risks will need to be accepted because there is no cost effective adaptation measure or the risk to human health is considered to be insignificant in Vanuatu
Summary
That climate change is already having an impact on the global burden of morbidity and mortality has been stated in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 4th Assessment report, which indicates that these effects are likely to increase all around the globe (IPCC, 2007). The changing climate is a worldwide issue, it will not be experienced uniformly across the world and many local and regional adaptation measures will need to be developed and implemented. It is crucial for the health of the community that adaptation strategies are implemented where the adverse health impacts that pose the greatest potential risk, and/or where the benefits to health can be maximised. Health impact pathways from climate change were first articulated by a special WHO Working Group in 1990; these pathways can occur as a result of direct or indirect exposures (WHO, 1990). Pathways between changes in the climate and the subsequent impact on health for indirect exposures typically www.ccsenet.org/gjhs
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