Stockholm Statement: national public health institutes' role in preparedness and response to climate crisis

National Public Health Institutes (NPHIs) from around the world met in Stockholm, Sweden early December to address and find solutions to the biggest challenges to the public health security. In the Stockholm statement they highlight the urgent need to apply the lessons learned from COVID-19 to address other health threats, including explicitly climate change. NPHIs have a vital role in handling the crises that affect human health.

The International Association of National Public Health Institutes (IANPHI) urges its member organizations to step up their role in handling crises that affect the health of global populations with prioritization of health equity. Climate change is explicitly mentioned as one of the imminent crises to which national public health institutes could support preparedness and responses to protect public health security. IANPHI prompts among others to:

• Support countries in establishing resilient health systems that can effectively mitigate and address the health impacts of climate change;
• Strengthen advocacy for the health and well-being of the population, be at the center of climate change adaptation.

The Statement can be consulted here.