Wednesday 18 May - Climate change affects our health

Climate change is affecting all of us, while different groups experience this disruption in different ways. It’s urgent to take action on a European, national, local and even individual level to avoid disparities, or cause an increase of, for example, infectious and chronic diseases. What can we do to be the motor of change?

Sub themes

These are subthemes to give you ideas and to stimulate your imagination. They do not limit the scope of the day themes. If you are having doubts on which day you should organise your event, email us at euphacommunications@eupha.org and our team will be happy to help you.

• Climate change impact over one’s health in urban regions
• Climate-related infectious diseases - a growing problem in the European Region
• Be the motor of change: sharing solutions on climate change mitigation and adaptation for health
• Socioeconomic disparities
• The role of the health sector and local authorities
• Small things count
• Community based climate risk management (building resilient cities)
• Climate change impacts chronic diseases and conditions
• Climate-resilient housing
• Similarities and synergies between health promotion and climate protection (e.g. active mobility, one health diet, etc.)
• Our health affects the climate / Making healthcare climate friendly
• Role of climate change on your perception of the future (for younger people) 

Key messages

• We need to strengthen the position of the health argument for urgent action on climate change and to advocate for a healthy, green and just recovery from COVID-19 – both in the health sector and beyond. (Source: WHO)
• Climate change will affect everybody, but vulnerability to weather and climate change depends on people’s level of exposure, their personal characteristics (such as age, education, income and health status) and their access to health services. Elderly people, children, outdoor workers and homeless people are particularly susceptible population groups. (Source: WHO)
• Climate change is a public health crisis calling for urgent coordinated transformative efforts. (Source: WHO)

Do you want to get involved in this theme?

Is 'climate change affects our health' a theme that appeals to you? 
Whether you are an institution, a health professional or an ordinary citizen interested in one of this theme, you may organise your own event(s). Submit your event here. 

If you are unable to organise your own event, spreading the word is also hugely important. Have a look at the media toolkit to share the message of the European Public Health Week 2022. 

Of course you can also join one or more of the activities and events. By participating, you will get interesting insights and contribute to the success of event hosts! 

Partners of the Wednesday: HEAL & ENBEL

We're collaborating with the Health and Environment Alliance (HEAL) and ENBEL for the Wednesday.
Together with the Environmental Health & Urban Public Health section, HEAL and ENBEL will offically kick-off third theme of the week: Climate change affects our health.

Join this kick-off event.