Several countries have included health risks in their plans to address climate change

Governments are increasingly focusing on health risks driven by global warming, with most countries now considering concerns from malaria to heart disease in their climate plans, according to data shared exclusively by the World Health Organization (WHO). More than 90 percent of countries have included health risks in their climate change commitments, known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs), up from 70 percent in 2020, according to a new WHO dataset to be published in an upcoming report. Dr Maria Neira, WHO Director of Public Health and Environment, said the climate crisis threatens key pillars of public health - including access to food, water, shelter and clean air - and countries may struggle to respond adequately to the growing risks. Climate change will fuel all the possible health disasters we expect. We need to make sure we have health systems fit for the 21st century," Dr Neira said ahead of the launch of the WHO's annual health statistics report on Friday. “We have to change the conversation (on climate change). Until now, we have been too focused on the glaciers, the next generation and the planet," she said in an interview. But "the health case for climate action can be very strong and can be one that could motivate governments". (The Straits Times)