A threat to health inclusivity: climate change exacerbates health exclusion

Premature deaths linked to climate change are on the rise and over 90% of these deaths occur in developing economies. From the rise of pollution and infectious disease prevalence to food insecurity and increased stress on healthcare systems, the interconnectivity between climate change and health is undeniable—and climate change is exacerbating existing health disparities. Marginalised groups, vulnerable populations and people living in lower-income economies, who are already more susceptible to major systemic shocks, experience disproportionate climate change-related economic and health consequences, and are bearing the brunt of the burden.

The Phase 2 Health Inclusivity Index assesses the extent to which 40 countries have taken steps to ensure that good health is accessible to all individuals. It considers both the policy environment for health inclusivity and whether populations are feeling the impacts of this policy on the ground, allowing us to quantify health disparities. Through a global survey of over 42,000 people across the index countries and a series of focus group discussions with marginalised populations, the index captures lived experiences of health inclusion—and exclusion—and explores how populations perceive the impacts of climate change on their health. The study provides unique insights on the impact of climate change on populations around the world, including how they are affected today and their concerns about future impacts.

Backgroun paper: The Road to Health Inclusivity: from policy to practice