Human Health and Climate Change in Pacific Island Countries

This report, Human health and climate change in Pacific island countries, targets policymakers and advisers, health professionals and scientists, community-based organizations and other stakeholders. It presents the outcomes of work carried out by WHO in collaboration with ministries of health in Pacific island countries and areas over the past few years. The report follows up the Madang Commitment, endorsed in 2009 at the biennial Pacific Health Ministers Meeting, by performing vulnerability assessments and preparing the National Climate Change and Health Action Plans (NCCHAPs). Although Pacific island countries and areas were the focus of the report, most findings and recommendations are likely applicable to small island developing states (SIDS) worldwide. The purpose of this report is to present the most relevant research evidence, situation analyses and recommendations for climate change and health adaptation in Pacific island countries and areas, with the intention of providing a strategic framework and evidence based policy options required to prevent and manage the impacts of climate change on the health of communities across the Pacific.