Climate change adaptation in the reorganized UK public health system: a view from local government

The research described in this article mapped and analysed the perceptions and practicalities of climate change adaptation in the public health sector in England at the regional and local level. Interviews were undertaken after the publication of the National Action Plan and the 2013 reform in the public health system, which included the establishment of Public Health England (PHE), and the designation of public health policy-making and implementation responsibilities within local government.

The findings show that local authority health professionals perceive climate change as a risk to health in England. Also responsive measures to combat short-term threats are taken, but the health professionals are less confident regarding long-term threats. There is a gap between national research and policy and local Level needs. Thus emphasis shall focus on closing or reducing that gap in the coming years. Reframing is useful and needed to advance health-related adaptation in local authorities. The implications for advocates of climate change adaptation in the public health sector are seen as positive and the message from the field is that there is willingness to implement such policy.

Local public health officials are potential agents for implementing adaptation policy since due to the reorganization of the public health system and the NAP, the local level has now more authority and responsibility.