According to a report published by the World Resources Institute (WRI), the economic return on investment from government programs that focus on health and climate will range from 3 to 68 times the amount invested, in low- and middle-income countries. Governments are increasingly concerned about the threats to the health of their citizens due to extreme weather events, particularly heat waves, and the spread of infectious diseases.

The findings of the research were based on climate-health systems that included early warning systems, disease monitoring programs, emergency response plans, and resilient healthcare systems. The results indicated that the total value of the investments would help prevent deaths, disease, and economic costs associated with adverse health outcomes caused by climate change.

According to the researchers, there will be between $3.60 and $68.40 in economic returns for every dollar spent, depending on where and how they are implemented, as well as the capacity of the organisations to implement them. Key elements contributing to the economic return to local markets included the prevention of mortality, the reduction of disease outbreaks and the disruption of health services.

These results were released in light of the growing number of challenges being faced by public health systems as a result of the growing prevalence of climate-related effects on health, including heat stroke, malaria, dengue fever, cholera and diarrhea. The report estimates that there will be up to 15.6 million deaths and economic losses of $20 trillion in low- and middle-income countries due to adverse health impacts from climate change by the year 2050.

The assessment indicated that investments of approximately $12 million to $18 million annually would be needed in developing countries to build climate-health systems. Some of the suggested actions include implementing hydrometeorological information systems, setting up disease surveillance systems, conducting disaster preparedness trainings, initiating awareness campaigns, and building climate-resilient hospitals.

According to the report, numerous nations still fail to integrate their climate and public health systems. Statistics gathered from the World Health Organisation reveal that only 23 per cent of those interviewed health ministries used meteorological data for disease surveillance systems, even though there were available climate services provided by meteorological departments.

According to the researchers, inadequate collaboration between the meteorological department and the health ministry hampers the government’s efforts in predicting diseases, preparing the healthcare system against climate risks, and managing its medical resources in emergencies.

There were other instances cited in the report where climate-health systems produced tangible economic gains. In Indian cities, heat-health warning systems had benefits-cost ratios exceeding 50-to-1, and the retrofitting of climate-resilient hospitals in the Caribbean produced economic gains at rates of $168 to $317 per dollar invested.

The study stated that climate-related health systems remain underfunded despite evidence showing that preparedness measures can reduce long-term economic and public health impacts.