Towards a climate-resilient primary health care service

Abstract

Climate change has been declared as the biggest threat to human health in the 21st century. Not all family doctors are aware of the  threats and how to tackle them. There are three key aspects to consider: the health and social effects of climate change, the challenge of  climate change to primary health care (PHC) facilities and services, and the contribution of health services to the problem of climate  change. Climate change and global pollution are ecological drivers associated with significant health and social effects that are often  seen in PHC services. These ecological drivers impact health and society via a number of proximate causes, such as air pollution and  decreased food production. The health and social effects include malnutrition, infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases,  displacement and migration, and mental health problems. Climate change-induced extreme weather events are associated with immediate loss of life and injuries, destruction of homes and livelihoods, and disruption of PHC facilities and services. For adapting to  these challenges, the World Health Organization has developed an operational framework for a climate-resilient health system. The  Global Green and Healthy Hospitals agenda provides practical guidance for mitigating the contribution of health services to climate  change. This article uses these frameworks to suggest practical steps that family doctors can take in leading climate adaptation and  mitigation within PHC.