Editorial
Disasters Newsletter N.132.
In the Region of the Americas, as in the rest of the world, climate-related factors are increasingly influencing the health and well-being of the population, disrupting physical, biological, and ecological systems on a global scale. More intense heat waves, devastating floods and extreme weather events are increasingly frequent in our Region, triggering a cascade of health consequences. These phenomena result in particular in a significant increase in respiratory and cardiovascular diseases as well as diarrheal or vector-borne diseases such as dengue and malaria, trauma and premature deaths associated with extreme weather events. In addition, food insecurity and air pollution emerge as palpable threats.
These growing challenges echo the priorities of Sustainable Development Goal 3 of the 2030 Agenda: "Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages". Achieving this crucial goal requires a comprehensive approach to the climate emergency. A healthy environment is a fundamental pillar for safeguarding the health of present and future generations.
The "One Health" approach, adopted by PAHO in 2021, aims to foster coordination and collaboration among human, animal and environmental health programs to strengthen prevention and preparedness against potential health threats. These threats encompass various aspects, such as diseases of zoonotic origin, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and food safety, among others. The integration of these approaches seeks to jointly address the interconnected challenges affecting global health, recognizing the close relationship between the health of humans, animals and ecosystems.
In this context, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) plays a crucial role. PAHO works to strengthen the capacity of country authorities to mitigate the health effects of climate change by promoting adaptation and resilience strategies. With this approach, the Organization collaborates with countries to strengthen epidemiological surveillance, improve emergency response capacity, and promote sustainable practices that protect the health of the most vulnerable communities.
In this edition of the Disasters newsletter, we highlight PAHO's commitment in this area, recognizing that the fight against climate change is a task that cannot be postponed.
Global collaboration stands as the path to resilience and sustainability, recognizing that the interconnection between climate and health, particularly threats to human health, is an urgent call that cannot be ignored.