Advancing knowledge and increasing capacity to address climate-driven infectious diseases in Canada

Area of Science:

• Public health
• Environmental science
• Infectious disease epidemiology

Background:

• The Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change (PCF) integrates climate change adaptation and resilience with human health.
• Specific initiatives address extreme heat events and climate-driven infectious diseases, with the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) leading efforts on the latter.

Discussion:

• PHAC established the Infectious Diseases and Climate Change (IDCC) program to bolster national capacity for addressing climate-sensitive infectious diseases.
• The IDCC program aims to enhance surveillance, diagnostics, and public awareness regarding infectious disease risks influenced by climate change.

Key Insights:

• The IDCC Fund has initiated projects focused on disease monitoring, surveillance, and public education.
• Collaboration among stakeholders, and all levels of government is crucial for effective climate change adaptation in public health.

Outlook:

• Continued efforts to raise awareness on the link between climate change and infectious disease prevalence.
• PHAC will work to improve Canadians' preparedness for both predictable and unpredictable health impacts of climate change.