ASPPH and ASPHER both released statements supporting the first ever Health Day at the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28). Academic public health institutions educate the public health leaders who will be on the front lines of the health crises that are the result of climate change, conduct the research needed to make evidence-based decisions, and collaborate with communities to address current public health issues.
The ASPPH statement calls for:
- Funding research and training programs to support schools and programs of public health
- Strengthening public health systems
- Supporting research on the health impacts of climate change
- Phasing down use of fossil fuels and halting further investment in them
- Investing in research on a just transition to newer energy technologies
The ASPHER statement lays out an action plan:
- Recognition of the linkage between climate change and health
- An integrated approach to climate change and health
- Solidarity across countries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while reducing the impacts of climate change on health
- Reducing the impact of climate change on health inequalities
- Training and capacity building in climate change and health for multiple stakeholders
- Well-funded interventional transdisciplinary research on climate change and health
- Advocacy on climate change and health