Health and climate are increasingly intertwined

The United Nations recognizes climate change as the greatest threat to global health in the 21st century. It cuts across nearly every Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)—from clean water and sanitation (SDG 6) to zero hunger (SDG 2), good health and well-being (SDG 3), and climate action (SDG 13).

ARCH’s work sits at the heart of this intersection. By accelerating locally led climate-health innovations and building new financing models, ARCH supports multiple SDGs simultaneously:

• SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being: By improving health system resilience and addressing climate-driven disease.

• SDG 13 – Climate Action: By scaling community-based adaptation and resilience models.

• SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation: By supporting innovations that ensure water safety during climate disruptions.

• SDG 5 – Gender Equality: Through targeted support for women and girls disproportionately impacted by climate-health risks.

• SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals: By building a global network of collaborators across sectors and regions.

In short: tackling climate without tackling health leaves millions behind. ARCH bridges that gap.

How does climate change directly affect human health?

Climate change intensifies heatwaves, natural disasters, and air pollution—all of which increase the risk of injury, dehydration, cardiovascular stress, and respiratory illnesses.

Are there also indirect health effects?

Yes. Climate change disrupts food and water supply chains, increasing malnutrition and gastrointestinal diseases. It also creates stress on health systems, displaces populations, and exacerbates mental health challenges.

What are vector-borne diseases and why are they increasing?

These are diseases spread by insects or animals—like malaria, dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. Rising temperatures and shifting rainfall patterns allow vectors to survive in new areas.

Who are the most vulnerable to climate-related health impacts?

Children, pregnant women, older adults, individuals with pre-existing health conditions, and low-income or rural populations are most at risk.

How does climate change widen health inequities?

It disproportionately affects communities with weaker infrastructure, limited healthcare access, or marginalization due to race, gender, or geography.

What is a climate-resilient health system?

It’s a system designed to anticipate and adapt to climate-related shocks while maintaining core healthcare services.

What are examples of climate-smart health interventions?

Examples include solar-powered clinics, community education on climate risks, portable diagnostics, and predictive disease modeling.

How can countries build more resilient health systems?

By integrating climate risk into health planning, upgrading infrastructure, training workers, and engaging communities.

What is the economic cost of climate-related health impacts?

Billions are lost annually due to reduced productivity, emergencies, and rebuilding costs—especially in low-income countries.

How do climate-health risks affect development goals?

They undermine progress on SDGs related to health, poverty, hunger, gender equality, and water access.

How does ARCH contribute to solutions at this intersection?

ARCH produces evidence, accelerates innovations, and builds market models for resilience funding through climate credits.

Can ARCH work with governments and global organizations?

Yes. ARCH actively collaborates with public and private sector stakeholders to integrate climate-health into policy and strategy.

How can I support climate-health solutions?

Fund or partner with ARCH, support local efforts, promote ESG strategies, or advocate for climate-smart healthcare.

Health and climate are increasingly intertwined

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