Component 7: Management of environmental determinants of health

Climate change threatens health through environmental determinants, strongly mediated by social conditions. For this reason, some of the most effective actions that can be taken by health systems are in collaboration with other sectors.  

While the health sector does not have substantial direct control over environmental determinants, it has essential roles to play at both policy and programmatic levels in providing evidence and raising awareness, implementing effective preventive measures, joint monitoring of environmental exposures and outcomes, and defining regulatory standards for managing health risks. 

Implementing a multi-sectoral and “health in all policies” approach can therefore facilitate timely and effective responses to changing environmental and climate-related risk conditions. For example, considering health in policies in other sectors such as agriculture, transport, housing and energy can lead to reduced health risks and improved environmentally sustainable health practices, behaviours and processes. This requires active coordination with clear roles and responsibilities defined across sectors. For more on health co-benefits of climate action, see here.  

For more information on the objectives, sample outputs and indicators for managing environmental determinants of health, see the WHO Operational Framework for building climate-resilient and low carbon health systems (under resources).