The Alliance for Collaboration on Climate & Earth Systems Science (ACCESS) programme is initiating a discussion among the research community on the establishment of a Research Alliance on Climate and Health, together with the Department of Health, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, National Institute of Communicable Diseases, the South African Medical Research Council, and the South African Weather Services.

This will be held as a side event at the 5th Global Change Conference (30 January – 3 February 2023) at the University of the Free State Bloemfontein Campus.

Background

There is growing interest and investment in research on the relationship among weather, climate variability, extreme climate events, climate change and the impacts on human health. This area of research presents a very important element of response to climate change as impacts of climate change are and will manifest either directly or indirectly on human health via a range of pathways. As a result of this growth there are now several individual researchers, research groups and entities, and several local and international research programmes, research funding calls and other efforts that have emerged in this field. There are also some formal efforts to organize research or share ideas and expertise, such at the Public Health Associate of South Africa Climate, Energy and Health (CEH) Special Interest Group (SIG) and the Climate and Health Steering Committee of the Department of Health. Work on the impacts of extreme heat, on the role of climate in infectious diseases and non-communicable diseases is ongoing.

However, the growing field is somewhat fragmented and not driven with an adequate strategic approach across weather to climate time scales. This renders the potential for collaboration and discovery of partnerships and opportunities for training of researchers sub-optimal. To address this we suggest the establishment of a research alliance in climate and human health.

At this side event at the Global Change Conference, we intend to:

• Receive input and results from relevant research taking place.
• Host a discussion on the establishment and scope of a research alliance in this field, and how it should operate.

Tentative Programme: Individual presentations and panel discussion

Invited speakers:

• Professor Masahiro Hashizume (University of Tokyo) – TBC
• Dr Joy Shumake-Guillemot (WHO/WMO Joint Climate and Health Office) – TBC
• Dr Caradee Wright (SAMRC)
• Ms Bono Nemukula (DoH).

• 8 Research Presentations (open to anyone).
• Introduction to REACH concept and remarks from panel.
• Discussion, questions, and answers and vote on resolution by members present.

To participate:

• Please register to attend the conference (closes 25 November).
• Please submit an abstract in two ways:
  • On the conference website and according to you the specifications provided and mark it for the ACCESS REACH SESSION. (DEADLINE 15 November 2022) through the conference website.
  • Please also send your abstract to nsweijd@access.ac.za (DEADLINE 15 November 2022)

• Funding to attend the event for those who have been accepted to present a paper can be arranged if necessary.
• For any queries, please email Dr Neville Sweijd (nsweijd@access.ac.za).