Role of law at the non-communicable diseases–climate change interface: considerations for planetary and population health policy

This commentary refers to the article by Fisher et al on lessons from Australian primary healthcare (PHC), which highlights the role of PHC to reduce non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and promote health equity. This commentary discusses important elements and features when aiming for health equity, including going beyond the healthcare system and focusing on the social determinants of health in public health policies, in PHC and in the healthcare system as a whole, to reduce NCDs. A wider biopsychosocial view on health is needed, recognizing the importance of social determinants of health, and inequalities in health. Public funding and universal access to care are important prerequisites, but regulation is needed to ensure equitable access in practice. An example of a PHC reform in Sweden indicates that introducing market solutions in a publicly funded PHC system may not benefit those with greater needs and may reduce the impact of PHC on population health.

Download Full-text

The role of diets and food systems in the prevention of obesity and non-communicable diseases in Fiji

10.4060/cb5194en ◽

2021 ◽

Keyword(s):

Food Systems ◽

Communicable Diseases ◽

Non Communicable Diseases

Download Full-text

Non-communicable diseases and climate change: linked global emergencies

The Lancet ◽

10.1016/s0140-6736(19)31762-3 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 394 (10199) ◽

pp. 622-623 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Rachel Nugent ◽

Edward Fottrell

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Communicable Diseases ◽

Non Communicable Diseases

Download Full-text

Global response to non-communicable diseases--the role of epidemiologists

International Journal of Epidemiology ◽

10.1093/ije/dys145 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 41 (5) ◽

pp. 1219-1220 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

J. Olsen ◽

R. Bertollini ◽

C. Victora ◽

R. Saracci

Keyword(s):

Communicable Diseases ◽

Global Response ◽

Non Communicable Diseases

Download Full-text

“There’s Not Really Much Consideration Given to the Effect of the Climate on NCDs”—Exploration of Knowledge and Attitudes of Health Professionals on a Climate Change-NCD Connection in Barbados

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17010198 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 17 (1) ◽

pp. 198

Author(s):

Roxanne A. Springer ◽

Susan J. Elliott

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Health Professionals ◽

Health Sector ◽

Psychosocial Health ◽

Communicable Diseases ◽

Health Priorities ◽

Small Island ◽

Future Health ◽

Non Communicable Diseases ◽

Future Burden

Despite widespread awareness of the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and the growing threat of climate change, little research has explored future health outcomes that will occur at the intersection of these challenges. Ten Barbadian health professionals were interviewed to assess their knowledge of health risks of climate change as it relates to NCDs in Barbados as a case study of a small island state at risk. There is widespread concern among health professionals about the current and future prevalence of non-communicable diseases among Barbadians. There is less concern about the future burden of NCDs in the context of a changing climate, largely because of a lack of knowledge among the majority of the health experts interviewed. Those knowledgeable about potential connections noted the difficulty that climate change would pose to the prevention and management of NCDs, given the impacts of climate stressors to food security, the built environment, and physiological and psychosocial health impacts. Lack of awareness among health professionals of the risk climate change poses to NCD prevalence and impact is reflective of the country’s health priorities that fail to recognize the risk of climate change. We recommend efforts to disseminate information about climate change to stakeholders in the health sector to increase awareness.

Download Full-text