Climate & Health Cluster

Publications

This section highlights publications on research conducted by IDAlert consortium partners as part of the project.

Scientific publications

Mitigating the Threat of Invasive Mosquito Species Expansion: A Comprehensive Entomological Surveillance Study on Kastellorizo, a Remote Greek Island

Bisia, M. et al. – Insects 2024, 15, 724, 20 September 2024

This paper details a study on Kastellorizo island that tracked mosquito species, including the invasive Asian tiger mosquito, using KAP surveys, mosquito traps, and species identification to assess mosquito prevalence and community preparedness. The research revealed the presence of disease-carrying mosquito species and highlighted the need for increased public education and community involvement in mosquito monitoring to develop effective control strategies in isolated areas.

DOI: 10.3390/insects15090724

Evolutionary dynamics of the successful expansion of pandemic Vibrio parahaemolyticus ST3 in Latin America

Campbell, A.M. et al. – Nature Communications 15, 7828, September 2024

The evolutionary mechanisms behind global pathogen strain expansions are not well understood, but the spread of the Vibrio parahaemolyticus clone (VpST3) in Latin America offers key insights. This study found that the VpST3 strain was introduced in Latin America earlier than previously thought, adapting successfully to local marine climates through genetic changes that improved resilience and environmental fitness. These findings reveal how this marine pathogen can expand globally by evolving to thrive in distinct climate conditions.

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-52159-y

The 2024 Europe report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: unprecedented warming demands unprecedented action

Kim Robin van Daalen et al. – The Lancet Public Health, Volume 9, Issue 7, July 2024

In 2023, record-breaking temperatures were recorded globally, with Europe warming at twice the global average, posing severe health risks. The Lancet Countdown in Europe, established in 2021, tracks health impacts of climate change to push for urgent climate-responsive actions. The 2023 report, now expanded to 42 indicators, highlights the worsening health impacts, Europe’s delayed climate action, and emphasizes the need to address inequality and justice in climate responsibility and health risks.

DOI: 10.1016/S2468-2667(24)00055-0

The global health community at international climate change negotiations

Kim Robin van Daalen et al. – Crossref, 31 March 2024

This article highlights the growing involvement of the global health community in international climate change negotiations, particularly at COP28, which saw the largest-ever turnout of health professionals. It emphasizes how health actors are increasingly influential, with health goals integrated into 91% of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and COP28 featuring over 200 health-related events, significant funding commitments, and the endorsement of a political declaration on climate and health by 149 countries.

DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2024-015292

The labour force in a changing climate: Research and policy needs

Shouro Dasgupta; Elizabeth J. Z. Robinson – Crossref, January 2024

This article examines the impacts of climate change on population displacement and human health. It highlights how rising temperatures and extreme weather events exacerbate health risks, particularly for vulnerable populations.

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pclm.0000131

The effect of temporal data aggregation to assess the impact of changing temperatures in Europe: an epidemiological modelling study

Joan Ballester et al. – Lancet Regional Health Europe, 20 November 2023

This paper highlights the use of weekly and monthly data as a viable alternative to daily health records in estimating temperature-related mortality, particularly when access to daily data is restricted. The findings show that while weekly models slightly underestimate cold and heat-related deaths, especially during extreme events, they still provide reliable estimates and can be useful for research and policy-making.

DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2023.100779

The 2023 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: the imperative for a health-centred response in a world facing irreversible harms

Marina Romanello et al. – The Lancet, 14 November 2023

The Lancet Countdown is an international research collaboration that independently monitors the evolving impacts of climate change on health, and the emerging health opportunities of climate action. In its eighth iteration, this 2023 report draws on the expertise of 114 scientists and health practitioners from 52 research institutions and UN agencies worldwide to provide its most comprehensive assessment yet.

DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(23)01859-7

Adult Aedes albopictus in winter: implications for mosquito surveillance in southern Europe

Daniela Sofie Lührsen et al. – The Lancet Planetary Health, September 2023

The article highlights the spread of Aedes albopictus in Europe and its increased public health risk as a vector for diseases like dengue and Zika, exacerbated by climate change.

DOI: 10.1016/s2542-5196(23)00170-5

Inequality and growth impacts of climate change—insights from South Africa

Shouro Dasgupta, Johannes Emmerling, Soheil Shayegh – Environmental Research Letters, September 2023

This article examines the effects of climate change on economic inequality and growth in South Africa. It highlights the uneven burden climate change places on vulnerable populations and suggests how policy interventions can mitigate these impacts to promote equitable and sustainable growth.

DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/ad0448

Decision-support tools to build climate resilience against emerging infectious diseases in Europe and beyond

Joacim Rocklöv et al. – The Lancet Regional Health. Europe, Vol 32, Iss , Pp 100701- (2023), August 2023

The article presents a framework to address climate-induced infectious disease risks in Europe by co-developing policy-relevant indicators and decision-support tools. This approach integrates early warning systems and evaluates adaptation and mitigation measures to improve health system resilience.

DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2023.100701

Approaching unsafe limits: climate-related health inequities within and beyond Europe

Kim R. van Daalen et al. – The Lancet Regional Health. Europe, Vol 31, Iss , Pp 100683- (2023), July 2023

The article from The Lancet Regional Health – Europe presents a new framework to tackle climate-sensitive infectious diseases in Europe. It emphasizes the need for decision-support tools and policy-relevant indicators to track and respond to climate-induced health risks. The framework, developed under the IDAlert project, integrates a One Health approach, connecting human, animal, and environmental health for better disease monitoring, resilience, and preparedness across sectors.

DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2023.100683

Towards a leptospirosis early warning system in northeastern Argentina

Lotto Batista M et al. – J. Roy. Soc. Interface, 17 May 2023

This study demonstrates that hydrometeorological indicators, including El Niño, precipitation, and river height, are strong predictors of leptospirosis outbreaks in northeastern Argentina. By using a Bayesian modelling framework, the researchers found that climate-driven models accurately detected 89% of outbreaks, suggesting that such tools could effectively contribute to an early warning system for leptospirosis in the region.

DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2023.0069

West Nile virus eco-epidemiology and climate change

Julian Heidecke; Andrea Lavarello Schettini; Joacim Rocklöv – Crossref, 1 May 2023

This review explores WNV’s eco-epidemiology, the role of modeling in knowledge generation, and the importance of a One Health approach for better surveillance and policy development.

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pclm.0000129

Chapter 12 Early warning systems for vector-borne diseases: engagement, methods and implementation

Emilie Finch et al. – Planetary health approaches to understand and control vector-borne diseases| Chapter 12, 17 May 2023

Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) cause over 700,000 deaths yearly, worsened by climate change and urbanization. Climate-informed early warning systems (EWS) use climate data to predict outbreaks, enabling faster public health responses. Despite their success in disaster risk reduction, EWS are underused in health, with few operational tools available.

DOI: 10.3920/9789004688650_014

The role of global reanalyses in climate services for health: Insights from the Lancet Countdown

Claudia Di Napoli et al. – Meteorological Applications, 23 March 2023

This article highlights the need for climate-smart decisions in public health due to extreme weather events. The Lancet Countdown system uses reanalysis datasets like ERA5 to track global climate-related health impacts, such as heatwaves and disease transmission, and provides indicators to measure these effects. Public health professionals should collaborate to refine these datasets for better health outcomes.

DOI: 10.1002/met.2122

Challenges in tracking climate, health, and justice over time and large geographical areas

Kim R van Daalen et al. – The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, February 2023

The Lancet Regional Health – Europe, February 2023

This article discusses the complexities of tracking the links between climate, health, and justice across regions and time. It calls for better, standardized data systems to address disparities and guide equitable policy interventions globally.

DOI: 10.1016/S2468-2667(23)00051-8

European projections of West Nile virus transmission under climate change scenarios

Zia Farooq et al. – One Health, Vol 16, Iss , Pp 100509- (2023), 16 February 2023

West Nile virus (WNV) risk in Europe is expected to rise significantly due to climate change. Projections show up to a 5-fold increase in outbreaks by 2040-60, with affected areas growing from 15% to 23-30%, putting up to 244 million people at risk. Western Europe faces the highest risk, driven by climate conditions favorable for WNV transmission, necessitating stronger public health measures.

DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100509

The 2022 Europe report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: towards a climate resilient future

Van Daalen, Kim R et al. – The Lancet Public health , 7 (11) e942-e965. (2022), 3 November 2022

This report monitors the health effects of climate change and the health co-benefits of climate action in Europe. Indicators will be updated on an annual basis and new indicators will be incorporated to provide a broad overview to help guide policies to create a more climate-resilient future.

DOI: 10.1016/s2468-2667(22)00197-9