Examining climate and health adaptation implementation in Pacific Island Countries and Territories

Abstract

University of Washington Abstract Examining climate and health adaptation implementation in Pacific Island Countries and Territories Christopher J. Boyer Chair of Supervisory Committee: Dr. Kristie Ebi Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Climate change is adversely impacting human health in Pacific Island Countries and Territories. Across the health sector, implementation of planned adaptation strategies has been uneven, constrained by limited human and financial resources and organizational capacity, inadequate climate and health risk assessments, and imprecise estimates about the effectiveness of climate-related interventions. To fill these gaps, this study examined climate and health adaptation implementation through multiple lenses and methods, including implementation science, which aims to systematically promote the uptake of research into routine public health policy and practice. We found that Pacific public health agencies are entering a new phase of climate and health action, with a greater understanding of the risks and potential health sector adaptation options. Advances have been made in the implementation of health adaptation activities such as establishing coordination mechanisms, building awareness, and conducting assessments. However, less progress has been made in operationalizing targeted policies, programs, and interventions, including monitoring, evaluation, and learning. Investment and resources need to shift toward operationalization. Pacific jurisdictions can capitalize on the enabling environment they have established to continue to improve the effectiveness of implementation, including roll-out and scale up, and the quality of health adaptation interventions.