​​Lessons from the field: Case studies to advance research on climate adaptation strategies and their impact on public health

Case Studies in Africa

Transforming a hospital towards climate resilience: a case study of a vulnerability and capacity assessment approach at the health facility level in N'gouri, Chad

• Lead Author: Patricia Nayna Schwerdtle , Heidelberg University and The Climate Action Accelerator
  
• Country: Chad
• Description: The project aims to demonstrate how an adapted Vulnerability and Capacity Assessment (VCA) can start to build the climate resilience and environmental sustainability of a hospital in Chad. This case study details the results of a mixed methods participatory approach, co-constructed in collaboration with health facility managers, NGOs and practitioners based in Chad. The primary goal was to assess vulnerabilities and capacities related to climate change-related health risks and to generate a prioritized list of solutions to address these risks.

Sentinel surveillance data for effective early warning prediction modeling of climate sensitive cholera outbreaks integrating meteorological WaSH and environmental data

• Lead Author: Hailemichael Bizuneh, St. Paul’s Hospital Milennium Medical College
• Country: Ethiopia
• Description: Researchers aim to share how early warning prediction modeling can be used to map climate sensitive cholera outbreaks in the wake of precipitation extremes and drought in Ethiopia.

Understanding air-noise pollution linkages and innovative community-based adaptation and mitigation strategies 

• Lead Author: Manasi Kumar, University of Nairobi (transitioned to New York University School of Medicine)
• Country: Kenya
  
• Description: Investigators hope to demonstrate how combining air and noise sensors with community education and training can support the mental and physical health of pregnant and parenting adolescent girls in Kenya. Through participatory action and co-development of solutions to environmental health stressors mental health can also be improved. 

Designing and evaluating a health system resilient to extreme weather events in rural Madagascar 

• Lead Author: Michelle Evans, Pivot Works
• Country: Madagascar
• Description: Researchers plan to showcase how a health system strengthening partnership focused on human resources and operational support increases health system resilience to protect the health of communities exposed to extreme weather events in Madagascar.

Transformation journey from taboo community to a healthy one 

• Lead Author: Umar Ibrahim, AFREHealth
• Country: Nigeria
• Description: Investigators are working to share how community education and training has been able to combat flood-related maternal mortality rates in Nigeria by increasing access to antenatal care services. 

Case Studies in Asia

Understanding the dynamics of epidemics post-cyclone and tidal surge events in the Bay of Bengal region

• Lead Author: Nirmalya Mukherjee, Center for Public Health Research, MANT
• Country: India
• Description: Researchers aim to demonstrate the impact of multi-purpose cyclone shelters (MPCSs) on the health outcomes of residents living in cyclone and tidal surge hotspots in India, particularly focusing on the epidemic-prone diseases affecting the Sundarbans’ residents after cyclones and tidal surges.

Climate-induced obesity in Pohnpei; Is swamp taro the answer? A mixed methods baseline study in the Federated States of Micronesia

• Lead Author: Sandeep Kandikuppa, East-West Center; Emihner Johnson, Island Food Community of Pohnpei
• Country: Federated States of Micronesia
• Description: Investigators will shed light on the links between climate change and obesity in the Federated States of Micronesia by evaluating an initiative which worked to reduce community reliance on imported foods by reviving the consumption of swamp taro.

Evaluating the long-term impact of the heat intervention in the emergency department in Karachi, Pakistan

• Lead Author: Uzma Rahim Khan, Aga Khan University
• Country: Pakistan
• Description: Researchers are evaluating the long-term impact of the HEAT (Heat emergency Assessment and Treatment) intervention in a hospital in Pakistan. The HEAT intervention is an educational program targeting healthcare workers in order to address gaps in diagnosis and care management for patients presenting with heat-related illnesses.

A case study of the impact of Resilient City Program on cognitive health in middle -aged and older adults

• Lead Author: Fei Sun, Michigan State University
• Country: Thailand
• Description: Researchers are working to showcase the impact of the Resilient City Program in Bangkok, Thailand, on the mental and cognitive health of middle-aged and older adults who are exposed to flooding.

Case Studies in Latin America and the Caribbean

When data meets real life: An analysis of the One Million Cisterns Program on the health and welfare of the Brazilian semiarid population

• Lead Author: Jose Firmino de Sousa Filho, CIDACS, FIOCRUZ
• Country: Brazil
• Description: Researchers plan to show the impact of a water access project in Brazil which deployed cisterns to rural communities in the country's semiarid region. Specifically, they will look at the impact of the program on child mortality, including outcomes related to poverty-related, diarrheal, and parasitic diseases.

Adapting to a changing climate in the Caribbean Small Island Developing States: The effectiveness of climate-smart health facilities for improving public health outcomes

• Lead Author: Maureen Lichtveld, University of School of Pittsburgh Public Health
• Country: Caribbean Small Island Nations including, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines
• Description: Investigators aim to demonstrate the impact of health facility-level climate adaptation strategies on the continuity of diabetes care at hospitals across several Caribbean Small Island Nations including, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Community-based solutions to address an epidemic of heat-related kidney disease in Latin American agricultural workers

• Lead Author: Joaquin Barnoya, Colorado School of Public Health, USA and Universidad Rafael Landivar, Guatemala
• Country: Guatemala
• Description: Researchers are looking to evaluate the impact of a community engaged workplace-based adaptation strategy to reduce the negative health effects of excess workplace heat exposure, including acute kidney injury, among agricultural workers in Guatemala.

Implementation lessons and challenges of water insecurity interventions in households during a period of severe droughts: the case of Nuevo León, Mexico

• Lead Author: Pablo Gaitan Rossi, Instituto de Investigaciones para el Desarrollo con Equidad (EQUIDE) at Universidad Iberoamericana, Ciudad de México
• Country: Mexico
• Description: Investigators plan to document lessons learned and challenges around the implementation of a water insecurity initiative in Mexico which was implemented by the Ministry of Equality and Social Inclusion to support communities during periods of severe drought and heat waves.

The Adelante Initiative: A rest-shade-hydration-hygiene program reduces heat-associated acute and chronic kidney disease among cane cutters and increases production at a sugar mill in Nicaragua

• Lead Author: Zac Schlader, Indiana University School of Public Health - Bloomington
• Country: Nicaragua
• Description: Researchers and partners, including La Isla Network, aim to assess longitudinal health outcomes among agricultural workers in Nicaragua in relation to progressive improvements to a workplace heat safety adaptation strategy. In their case study, they will also quantify the financial return related to the workplace’s continued investment in the heat safety initiative.