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The sources used to compile the health and adaptation information for country profiles vary across countries. For EU Member States, information is based on their official adaptation reporting: 2021 adaptation reporting under the Regulation on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action (see EU Adaptation ReportingClimate-ADAPT Country Profiles) and 2019 adaptation reporting under the EU Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Mechanism Regulation. These two reporting mechanisms are together referred to here as “EU official reporting on adaptation”. Note: The relevant information has been copied from the EU official reporting on adaptation (submitted until July 21, 2021), without further elaborating the contents of the text. Some information, valid at the time of reporting, may no longer be valid today. Any necessary additions to the text are clearly highlighted.

In addition, information collated in the EEA’s analysis of Climate change and health: the national policy review in Europe (2021), the Adaptation preparedness scoreboard country fiches (2018) and the WHO study on Public health and climate change adaptation policies in the European Union (2018) are presented. Note: Some information, valid at the time of publication, may no longer be valid today. Any necessary additions to the text are clearly highlighted.

Information sources for non-EU member countries of the EEA are more limited.

Information from EEA report. Climate change and health: the national policy overview in Europe (2022)

National policies on climate change adaptation and national health strategies were analysed to identify the coverage of climate-related impacts on health (physical, mental, and social) and the types of interventions addressing them. The report provides a European overview, while the geographical coverage of various aspects of national policies across Europe can be visualized using the map viewer. The results for Czechia are summarised here.

Policy documents reviewed:

Climate change adaptation strategy in the Czech Republic (2015-2019)

Health Strategy Framework 2030

Aspects covered in the reviewed policy document:

Information from WHO. Health and climate change: country profile (2021)

This WHO/EURO UNFCCC health and climate change country profile for Czechia provides a summary of available evidence on climate hazards, health vulnerabilities, health impacts and progress to date in health sector efforts to realize a climate-resilient health system.

The overall aims of the WHO and UNFCCC Health and Climate Change Country Profile Project are to:

  • Increase awareness of the health impacts of climate change
  • Support evidence-based decision making to strengthen the resilience of health systems
  • Support health involvement in national and international climate processes such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
  • Promote actions that improve health while reducing greenhouse gas emissions

Information from EU official reporting on adaptation. GovReg reporting (2021), MMR reporting (2019)

strategy on adaptation to climate change (NAS) was adopted by the Czech government in October 2015 and implemented via a National Action Plan (NAP), in place since January 2017. The NAS presents observed climate change and defines adaptation measures, including measures for the health sector. The NAP outlines health adaptation measures, including ensuring adequate medical infrastructure for epidemic emergencies, implementing early warning systems for water- and vector-borne diseases; and providing information to strengthen decision-making around health risk situations. Measures for health are among the NAP activities that have already been implemented.

As the update is still in progress, the final versions of the NAS and NAP are not available. The updated NAS will be valid for the period 2021 - 2030, the updated NAP for the period 2021 – 2025.

Information from WHO publication. Public health and climate change adaptation policies in the European Union (2018)

General vulnerability estimates, which include health and hygiene, are set out in the Revised Comprehensive Study on Impacts, Vulnerability and Risks Sources Connected to Climate Change in the Czech Republic (2019). Adaptation measures in the health care and hygiene sector primarily involve combating contagious and other diseases (such as cardiovascular disorders and allergies) and preventing harmful effects on human health caused by extreme weather events.

Radio and television channels are used to provide new information from the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute regarding river flow status in high-risk flood areas in the event of extreme rainfall. Daily television forecasts outline the potential health risk level due to temperature or other meteorological phenomena and include advice for affected vulnerable population groups on how to act in the given situation.

Surveillance of water- and foodborne infections, whose occurrence and spread are affected by high temperature, is being strengthened. Surveillance is also ongoing for zoonoses that are significantly affected by climate change impacts on both the animal host (as the vehicle of infection) and the infectious agent. Laboratory capacity has also been strengthened.

Cooperation between the National Institute of Public Health and the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute established a system of daily forecasts of tick activity, which has been tested and implemented. A forecast including a quantified risk level for tick bites is also provided in television news programmes. The National Institute of Public Health has created information leaflets and educational brochures about how to protect against ticks and vaccination options. These are distributed to general physicians’ offices.

Capacity-building activities for employees responsible for inspection of water and sanitary services have been put in place to increase knowledge about the risks resulting from climate change. More frequent droughts are expected to affect drinking-water reserves in terms of both quantity and quality. Droughts can also lead to the creation of surface sources of bacterial and viral contamination.

Resources in the Observatory catalogue on Czechia