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Thematic Working Groups (TWGs)

Climate Resilient and Sustainable Health Systems

Group overview

The Climate Resilient and Sustainable Health Systems Thematic Working Group (Climate TWG) brings together researchers, practitioners, and policy makers working in health systems, preparedness, climate change mitigation/adaptation, and affected communities. We aim to promote policy-relevant, action-oriented research and practice, and support the development and implementation of evidence-based strategies that strengthen climate resilience within health systems.

The challenges posed by climate change are happening now and intensifying quickly. Health systems are vulnerable to climate hazards and chronic change, limiting their ability to promote and protect the health of the populations they serve. Health systems must be strengthened, to better anticipate, prevent, detect, respond, and sustainably recover from climate-related risks. With the health sector responsible for around 4.6% of global emissions, it holds a unique responsibility and opportunity to lead bold, rapid action by driving the transition to low-carbon, sustainable, and equitable health systems, as championed by the COP28 UAE Declaration on Climate and Health.

  • Establish and strengthen a dynamic community of diverse stakeholders (funders, public health researchers/educators/practitioners, decision-makers, NGOs, etc.) with an interest in generating, sharing, and applying knowledge to understand the vulnerability of and support climate resilience and sustainability within national and local healthcare systems
  • Develop and drive a global research and capacity-strengthening agenda around health-systems strengthening and climate-change impacts
  • Provide structured opportunities for HSG members and external participants for knowledge exchange and peer-to-peer support, for conducting climate vulnerability and adaptation assessments at population level and/or healthcare facility levels
  • Promote evidence-informed practice through case studies, to scale up climate adaptation action within health systems
  • Engage relevant health policy, research, and healthcare professionals to advocate health-sector leadership for climate action within health systems at global, national, and local levels.

Activities of the TWG will be structured around six components (2021-25):

  • National and local vulnerability/adaptation assessment
  • Integrated risk monitoring – sustainable health infrastructure
  • Health workforce leadership
  • Climate-informed health programs
  • Emergency preparedness (early warning for extreme weather)

These activities will be delivered through seminars, webinars, high-level panel discussions, and policy round tables. In support of capability strengthening and knowledge mobilization, we aim to collate a repository of climate-adaptation case studies within health systems globally.

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Rudolf Abugnaba-Abanga

Rudolf Abugnaba-Abanga

Co-Chair,
Africa

Amanda Quintana

Co-chair

Susannah Mayhew, Ph.D.

Susannah Mayhew, Ph.D.

Vice-chair,
Europe

Carol Zavaleta, MD, Ph.D.

Carol Zavaleta, MD, Ph.D.

Vice-chair,
Latin America

Shibaji Bose

Shibaji Bose

Vice-Chair,
Asia

image of a woman

Ayat Abu-Agla

Co-Chair, Learning TWG and Vice-Chair, Climate TWG

Massoud Agahi

Vice-chair, North America

Upasona Ghosh, Ph.D.

Upasona Ghosh, PhD

Vice-chair,
Asia

Sari Kovats, Ph.D.

Sari Kovats, Ph.D.

Vice-chair,
Europe

Denise Thomson, MA MBA Ph.D.(c)

Denise Thomson, MA MBA Ph.D.(c)

Vice-chair,
North America

Karen Ceballos, MD, MBA

Karen Ceballos, MD, MBA

Coordinator

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