The missing links in climate services for health and heat-health services : examining climate-heat services in peri-urban districts in South Africa

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Authors

Manyuchi, Albert Edgar
Vogel, Coleen
Wright, Caradee Yael

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Elsevier

Abstract

Climate services for health can facilitate health resilience and adaptation to climate change, particularly if they are well-calibrated to promote wellness and save lives. In this study, the status of climate services for health in South Africa’s Agincourt sub-district, Mpumalanga province, was assessed. A qualitative case study methodology encompassing multiple methods of data collection was used. The results show that climate services for health in the Agincourt sub-district, albeit essential, are fragmented and underdeveloped. Scientifically informed heathealth services are non-existent. Notwithsatnding this gap, healthcare and allied professionals are aware of the importance of climate services for health. The main barrier to climate services delivery is the paucity of interagency coordination; for example, coordination to plan and respond to climate-health information between the South African Weather Services and the Departments of Health and Education is lacking. Inclusive climate services for health are essential for positive prevention and treatment outcomes. Future studies must provide an investment case for climate services for health, demonstrating the benefits of acting and the costs of inaction.

Description

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT : Qualitative datasets that are restricted and not publicly available. Due to confidentiality agreements, supporting data can only be made available to bona fide researchers subject to a non-disclosure agreement. Details of the data and how to request access are available from A.E. Manyuchi at Global Change Institute of The University of the Witwatersrand.

Keywords

Climate change, Health, Extreme heat events, Heat warning systems, Scientific climate information, Indigenous climate forecast, SDG-03: Good health and well-being, SDG-11: Sustainable cities and communities

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG-03:Good heatlh and well-being
SDG-11:Sustainable cities and communities

Citation

Manyuchi, A.E., Vogel, C., Wright, C.Y. 2023, 'The missing links in climate services for health and heat-health services : examining climate-heat services in peri-urban districts in South Africa', Climate Services, vol. 32, art. 100413, pp. 1-11. https://DOI.org/10.1016/j.cliser.2023.100413.