Health Systems
Health Systems
IN Numbers
315,000
Deaths per year caused by climate change – through malnutrition, disease and weather disasters.
10
Countries recorded temperatures above 50°C in more than one location last year.
100,000
Lives could be saved by scaling up heat health-warning systems in 57 vulnerable countries.
THE BIG Picture
We are living longer than ever…
Today, average global life expectancy is 73.2 years. This dipped between 2020-2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic – a stark reminder that everything can change in an instant. And as we adapt to climate change, we can expect to face many more challenges to our health.
Rising global temperatures are already taking their toll on humans, causing heat-related illnesses and mosquito-borne diseases to surge. New diseases are always emerging – and the old ones evolve.
All of this at a time when medical supply lines for treatment are becoming increasingly fragile and antimicrobial resistance is a major concern. The current armory of antibiotics and vaccines will become increasingly redundant, as their power to resist evolving diseases
Rising temperatures are taking their toll on humans
fades. This growing problem requires our urgent attention to prevent future health catastrophes.
Our food systems are also fragile. There’s a real possibility that we could run out of ways to feed ourselves, as we run out of the proteins we need to feed the animals that, in turn, feed us. Many nations are developing protein strategies to counter these threats, but there are many others. Soil degradation, ocean acidification, and overfishing similarly threaten global food security.
The interconnection of these health crises is daunting. So it’s perhaps no surprise that running alongside is an emerging global mental health crisis.
THE BIG Fixes
The solutions require a high-wire balancing act between immediate needs and long-term sustainability.
WATCH THE WEATHER
Our first line of defence is in the skies above us, with satellite monitoring of what weather is coming our way. AI-driven systems can provide precious information on extreme weather events – and when they’re going to hit homes and food systems. Google’s GenCast can now spot extreme weather events 15 days ahead of arrival. This information can save lives.
BLEND PUBLIC AND PRIVATE
How do we pay for all this? Public/private partnerships will have to be at least part of the answer in financing and delivering healthcare effectively. Nations with integrated systems increasingly show the value of shared responsibility in providing universal care.
Innovative insurance models could – and will have to – address long-term risks, including a growing view that climate change might render humans “uninsurable” within decades. Having the courage to explore these ideas now will help to reshape health access for the future.
ADAPT FOOD SYSTEMS
People are understandably worried about feeding themselves, let alone others. To provide global food systems with stewardship and security, we must prioritise sustainability and resilience. Sustainable food practices can reshape environmental impacts. Once niche topics like ‘regenerative agriculture,’ ‘urban farming’ and ‘innovative aquaponics’ will go mainstream, as part of a growing number of ways to reduce environmental impacts, enhance food security and create green jobs.
‘Onshoring’ and ‘nearshoring’ food production can also reduce dependency on exhausted supply chains, while promoting biodiversity will enhance soil health. Protein alternatives, such as plant-based meats and innovative feeds, will be critical to address global hunger and reduce environmental harm. Securing these systems means that we can ensure stable access to nutritious food for all.
CONSIDER OUR LONGEVITY
Advances in AI again breakthroughs in healthcare, particularly in diagnosing and treating diseases.
Cancer could become curable within a generation thanks to AI-driven early diagnostics and personalised therapies. Coupled with public health campaigns promoting healthier lifestyles, these innovations may extend life expectancy while improving quality of life. While this should be seen as a positive, it raises the question of how we feed and care for ageing populations.
For longevity to be sustainable for everyone, will mean shifting the narrative around health systems. To address the evolving challenges of climate and health, we must rethink how health systems operate, adapt, and collaborate. A ‘healthy’ health system must be proactive, not reactive. It demands a shift in mindset, whether the times are good or bad.
BE PANDEMIC-READY
Readiness for the next pandemic is fundamental to building a viable global health system. Investing in research preparation today will safeguard health infrastructure tomorrow. And while the Covid-19 pandemic revealed stark vulnerabilities, AI can accelerate vaccine development, offering tailored responses to emerging threats.
When this happens, transparency and inter- governmental cooperation is vital. Amid a tense geopolitical era, some governments may be reluctant to reveal their plans for a global pandemic, but working without borders will be essential to build robust defences against future outbreaks.
People are worried about feeding themselves
CASE STUDY
A HEALTH SYSTEMS SUPERGROUP
To accelerate the response to these challenges a “supergroup” of the great and good has been formed: a partnership between the World Health Organisation (WHO), World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), Wellcome and the Rockefeller Foundation.
The WHO and WMO are collaborating to integrate climate and health science to protect human health from climate-related risks, such as extreme weather, air quality, and environmental hazards.
Its joint efforts are supported by the other members of this ‘Fab Four’. The Rockefeller Foundation has provided resources to explore global digital solutions for climate and health, while Wellcome co-hosted a workshop in September 2024 to develop scalable systems for climate-informed health monitoring. This partnership will accelerate the use of climate services, helping nations to adapt to climate impacts and protect their most vulnerable people.
IN Action
The Conduit’s commitment
Our conference on climate and health on 23 June 2025 gathered leading thinkers in the healthcare space to accelerate the discussion of new systems for climate- informed health support and nurtured cross-sectoral collaboration between key actors and decision-makers.
And through our content and programming, we focus on health equity and acces, so that each individual can thrive in times of climate-affected human health.
