The WHO collected responses from 95 countries on their readiness to adjust health systems to combat climate change and prepare for different patient demands. Here are the most important results:
- Fifty-one percent of the countries surveyed have conducted at least one vulnerability and adaptation assessment to understand the ways in which they are likely to be affected by climate change.
- More than 75 percent of countries have a national climate and health strategy in place or have one under development. But only a quarter of countires have reached a high or very high implementation phase of these plans.
- Lack of funding and human resources were the biggest obstacles to countries implementing climate and health strategies.
- In 54 percent of countries, the health ministry has created a multi-stakeholder approach, involving several sectors and different ministries. But only a fifth of countries have formalized agreements between health ministries and other sectors.
- Only 42 percent of countries reported training healthcare workers on specific climate-related health issues.
- Just over a quarter of countries have assessed the climate resiliency of healthcare facilities, and only 23 percent of countries have looked into the sustainability of their centers.
