PHONIC: Public Health OperatioNs for clImate aCtion-Development of a framework to identify priorities

Abstract

Abstract Background Following decades of improving health and well-being, climate change constitutes the biggest threat to human health in the 21st century. Given the urgency of this topic, it is relevant to identify ways to prioritize those public health operations that will result in the greatest benefit for the population health in a changing climate, considering the vulnerabilities of different groups. The project's aim is to assess climate change mitigation and adaptation measures related to public health functions, thereby making them resilient to current and future challenges. Methods This will be done by i. identifying linkages between public health functions and climate change mitigation and adaptation measures; ii. developing an umbrella framework that allows overall classification of public health operations addressing climate change mitigation and adaptation based on a review; iii. developing a sub-framework for selected operations based on international good practice with indicators that allows for structured assessment and evaluation of the current state of practice; iv. piloting of the sub-framework in Germany and Kenya by comparing national actions from public health services against international good practices. All steps will be carried out in close cooperation with experts across multiple disciplines, institutions, and countries. Results Preliminary results of the project show that there are already frameworks existing that have merged environmental determinants and public health operations, such as the Essential Public Health Functions for Health, Environment and Climate from PAHO. These will be complemented by the outcomes of a scoping review on indicators and international good practice examples. The next phase will include the piloting of these tools in real life settings. Conclusions The PHONIC project aims to develop a practical guidance for decision makers in the context of public health to identify priorities for climate change action. Key messages • There is potential in combining public health operations and climate change action for identifying priority actions for decision makers and practitioners. • Practical guidance needs to be developed and implemented to link public health operations with climate action.