Global Climate and Health Alliance urges WHO to integrate climate action into global health policies

SWITZERLAND—The Global Climate and Health Alliance (GCHA), which represents more than 250 health organizations worldwide, has called on governments and the World Health Organization (WHO) to fully integrate climate change into all aspects of global health planning, programs, and policy.

The appeal followed discussions held during the 79th World Health Assembly (WHA79), where climate-related health risks featured prominently across several agenda items.

The alliance emphasized that climate change and public health are deeply interconnected and warned that health systems can no longer treat climate impacts as a separate issue.

Rosie Tasker, Climate and Clean Air Liaison at GCHA, said governments must recognize climate as a major factor affecting nearly every area of healthcare policy and delivery.

Rising health burden linked to climate change

According to the alliance, climate change continues to intensify heat-related illnesses, infectious disease outbreaks, respiratory conditions, and mental health disorders worldwide.

In addition, worsening air pollution linked to fossil fuel use has contributed to growing cases of cardiovascular disease, cancer, and chronic respiratory illnesses.

Dr Jeni Miller, Executive Director of the Global Climate and Health Alliance, noted that health ministries and the WHO must strengthen efforts to ensure climate considerations are integrated into all health programs.

She warned that climate change increasingly threatens fragile health systems already struggling with limited resources and growing healthcare demands.

The organization also highlighted that climate-related disasters, including floods, droughts, and wildfires, continue to damage hospitals, disrupt medical supply chains, and destroy healthcare infrastructure.

Furthermore, food insecurity caused by climate shocks has affected maternal and child health, while climate-induced migration has increased pressure on healthcare services in vulnerable regions.

Concerns over global health reform discussions

Although climate and health were discussed indirectly in several WHA79 sessions, the alliance expressed concern that climate issues were absent from key conversations surrounding reforms to global health governance structures.

GCHA stated that the proposed global health reform task force currently lacks direct representation from climate and health agencies, as well as civil society organisations.

As a result, the alliance fears climate-related health challenges could receive insufficient attention within future international health frameworks.

The concerns emerged as the WHO continues implementing its 2025–2028 General Programme of Work, which identifies climate change as one of the organisation’s top strategic priorities.

During a high-level event on the Belém Health Action Plan at WHA79, Dr Jeremy Farrar, WHO Assistant Director-General for Health Promotion, Disease Prevention and Care, described climate change as one of the most visible threats affecting people’s health globally.

Pressure on global health systems intensifies

The alliance also warned that ongoing reductions in international aid funding are placing additional strain on healthcare systems, particularly in developing countries.

Miller said recent cuts to global health financing, including reductions in support for WHO programs, have forced ministries of health and aid agencies to reorganize services while attempting to address growing healthcare needs.

At the same time, GCHA noted that several governments have redirected public spending toward defense and security priorities, reducing investments in health, climate action, and social welfare programs.

Fossil Fuels Under Growing Scrutiny

Several side events held alongside WHA79 focused on the health risks associated with fossil fuels.

Campaign Lead Shweta Narayan stated that coal, oil, and gas harm human health throughout their entire lifecycle, from extraction and transportation to combustion and waste disposal.

Narayan argued that fossil fuels should be treated similarly to other health-harming products previously targeted by public health campaigns, including tobacco and asbestos.

She added that while reliable energy access remains essential for economic development and healthcare delivery, countries can pursue cleaner alternatives that reduce both pollution and climate-related health risks.

The alliance also urged governments preparing for the upcoming UNFCCC Bonn SB 64 climate meetings in June to incorporate health priorities into national climate policies and financing mechanisms, including adaptation funding and support for a just transition away from fossil fuels.