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Public Health Aspects of Climate Change Adaptation in Three Cities: A Qualitative Study

Author

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  • Gloria Macassa

    (Department of Public Health and Sports Science, Faculty of Occupational and Health Sciences, University of Gävle, Kungsbacksvägen 47, 80176 Gävle, Sweden
    EPIUnit–Instituto de Saude Publica, Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas 135, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
    Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Rua das Taipas 135, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal)

  • Ana Isabel Ribeiro

    (EPIUnit–Instituto de Saude Publica, Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas 135, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
    Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Rua das Taipas 135, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
    Departamento de Ciências da Saúde Pública e Forenses e Educação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal)

  • Anneli Marttila

    (Department of Public Health and Sports Science, Faculty of Occupational and Health Sciences, University of Gävle, Kungsbacksvägen 47, 80176 Gävle, Sweden)

  • Frida Stål

    (Department of Public Health and Sports Science, Faculty of Occupational and Health Sciences, University of Gävle, Kungsbacksvägen 47, 80176 Gävle, Sweden)

  • José Pedro Silva

    (EPIUnit–Instituto de Saude Publica, Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas 135, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
    Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Rua das Taipas 135, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal)

  • Michelle Rydback

    (Department of Business and Economic Studies, University of Gävle, Kungsbacksvägen 47, 80176 Gävle, Sweden)

  • Mamunur Rashid

    (Department of Public Health and Sports Science, Faculty of Occupational and Health Sciences, University of Gävle, Kungsbacksvägen 47, 80176 Gävle, Sweden)

  • Henrique Barros

    (EPIUnit–Instituto de Saude Publica, Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas 135, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
    Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional (ITR), Rua das Taipas 135, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
    Departamento de Ciências da Saúde Pública e Forenses e Educação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, 4200-450 Porto, Portugal)

Abstract

Climate change presents an unprecedented public health challenge as it has a great impact on population health outcomes across the global population. The key to addressing these health challenges is adaptation carried out in cities through collaboration between institutions, including public health ones. Through semi-structured interviews ( n = 16), this study investigated experiences and perceptions of what public health aspects are considered by urban and public health planners and researchers when planning climate change adaptation in the coastal cities of Söderhamn (Sweden), Porto (Portugal) and Navotas (the Philippines). Results of the thematic analysis indicated that participating stakeholders were aware of the main climate risks threatening their cities (rising water levels and flooding, extreme temperatures, and air pollution). In addition, the interviewees talked about collaboration with other sectors, including the public health sector, in implementing climate change adaptation plans. However, the inclusion of the public health sector as a partner in the process was identified in only two cities, Navotas and Porto. Furthermore, the study found that there were few aspects pertaining to public health (water and sanitation, prevention of heat-related and water-borne diseases, and prevention of the consequences associated with heat waves in vulnerable groups such as children and elderly persons) in the latest climate change adaptation plans posted on each city’s website. Moreover, participants pointed to different difficulties: insufficient financial resources, limited intersectoral collaboration for climate change adaptation, and lack of involvement of the public health sector in the adaptation processes, especially in one of the cities in which climate change adaptation was solely the responsibility of the urban planners. Studies using larger samples of stakeholders in larger cities are needed to better understand why the public health sector is still almost absent in efforts to adapt to climate change.

Suggested Citation

  • Gloria Macassa & Ana Isabel Ribeiro & Anneli Marttila & Frida Stål & José Pedro Silva & Michelle Rydback & Mamunur Rashid & Henrique Barros, 2022. "Public Health Aspects of Climate Change Adaptation in Three Cities: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:16:p:10292-:d:891744
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Omar Portela Dos Santos & Pauline Melly & Stéphane Joost & Henk Verloo, 2023. "Measuring Nurses’ Knowledge and Awareness of Climate Change and Climate-Associated Diseases: Protocol for a Systematic Review of Existing Instruments," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(20), pages 1-12, October.

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