News
Global warming projected to increase health burden from hyponatremia
08 Mar 2022Global warming is likely to increase the number of people requiring hospitalisation due to critically low sodium levels in the blood, a condition known as hyponatremia. A new study projects that a temperature rise of 2 degrees Celsius would increase the burden on hospitals from hyponatremia by almost 14%.
Green space in European cities is key to well-being – but access varies
01 Feb 2022High-quality green and blue spaces in cities, like parks, riverbanks and coastlines, are crucial for health and well-being, in particular for the elderly, children and people on low incomes. A European Environment Agency briefing shows that access is not equal, and that cities in the north and west of Europe tend to have more green space than cities in southern and eastern Europe.
Europeans see climate change as top challenge for the EU
25 Jan 2022Nine out of 10 young Europeans agree that tackling climate change can help improve their own health and well-being, while 84% of those aged 55 or over agree. Almost every second European (49%) sees climate change as the main global challenge for the future of the EU, according to a special Eurobarometer on the Future of Europe.
European Innovation Council Horizon Prize on Early Warning for Epidemics: Commission awards €5 million to winning project
17 Jan 2022The European Commission launched a prize to reward the best Earth observation-based prototype to forecast and monitor vector-borne diseases. The winner of the €5 million European Innovation Council (EIC) Horizon Prize on Early Warning for Epidemics is Greece-based project EarlY WArning System for Mosquito-borne Diseases (EYWA). The EYWA project transforms scientific knowledge into a decision-making tool, contributing significantly to combatting and controlling the threat of mosquito-borne diseases.
The Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) contributes to the international approach to Climate change and Health
04 Nov 2021A special edition of the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) magazine on climate change and health showcases the knowledge and advice that is contributing to solutions for health-related climate impacts at local, regional, national and international levels. Featured topics in this edition include: international approach to health effects of climate change; five questions about climate change and infectious disease; greener streets in Dutch cities; public focus on wind turbines and health.
2021 report of the Lancet Countdown: Tracking progress on health and climate change
21 Oct 2021The 2021 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: code red for a healthy future, is an international collaboration that independently monitors the health consequences of a changing climate across five key domains and over 40 indicators.
Tackling the effects of climate change on health in the Mediterranean and surrounding regions
11 Oct 2021This workshop report includes assessments from the region and recommendations for policy-makers and the scientific community. The Mediterranean and Middle East regions are “hotspots” and the effects of climate change are greater here than in other regions. Topics addressed during the workshop included the effects of extreme weather events, water shortage, food security, infectious diseases, air pollution, and health issues of displaced populations, among others.
Commission launches EU missions to tackle major challenges including on adaptation to climate change
01 Oct 2021The Commission launched five new EU missions, a new and innovative way to work together to tackle big challenges in health, climate and the environment. They include a set of actions, such as research and innovation projects, policy measures and legislative initiatives, as a novelty of Horizon Europe and also an original concept in EU policy, bringing together several Commission services. Among the five missions aiming to deliver solutions to key global challenges by 2030, is the 'Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change and societal transformation', supporting at least 150 European regions and communities to become climate resilient by 2030.
Climate change and its impact on lung health: a focus on Europe
07 Sep 2021The Economist Intelligence Unit has published a white paper on “Climate change and its impact on lung health: a focus on Europe”. This research summarises the direct and indirect evidence that links climate change to lung health and maps out policy priorities to prevent and curb the effects of climate change on lung health.
Public consultation on WHO draft COP26 Special Report on Climate Change and Health
03 Aug 2021The World Health Organization (WHO) launches public consultation on draft COP26 Special report on climate change and health, with the deadline for comments on the 25 August 2021. The COP26 Special Report: 'The Health Argument for Climate Action', aims to raise the health voice, health arguments and health urgency of tackling the climate crisis. It reflects the growing evidence and availability of solutions to maximize the health benefits of tackling climate change, while also offering a clear set of asks and proposed solutions from the global health community to climate change policy makers at COP26.