Policy Brief: Opportunities for Enhancing Transdisciplinary Research and Action in Climate Change and Health in Africa

The escalating severity of climate change is exerting increasing pressure on health-determining sectors, including agriculture, food security, energy, disaster risk management, and overall social conditions. Addressing these challenges necessitates a multi-sectoral approach that holistically considers the interconnectedness of these factors.

A significant shift has occurred in the climate and health policy landscape, with a growing emphasis on placing health at the core of climate change decision-making. This paradigm shift is essential for developing integrated and multi-sectoral National Health Resilience and National Adaptation Plans. Effective collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and implementation partners is crucial to address the complex interplay between climate and health

However, despite the pressing need, such collaborations are still in their early stages, particularly in Africa. A stark illustration of this gap is evident in the allocation of resources, with only 0.5% of multilateral climate adaptation funds directed towards the health sector. This underfunding underscores the critical need for increased investment in climate-related health actions.

Funded by Wellcome, this study seeks to enhance our understanding of how collaborative platforms, such as Communities of Practice (CoPs), can effectively integrate health considerations into climate change policies . Policy Brief: Opportunities for Enhancing Transdisciplinary Research and Action in Climate Change and Health in Africa