A new framework designed to integrate climate data with public health information has been introduced, aiming to enhance resilience in health systems worldwide. In an article published on August 20, 2025, in The Lancet Planetary Health, researcher Christopher Golden presents the concept of “Climate-Smart Public Health” (CSPH). This data-driven approach seeks to improve the understanding of how climate change affects health, particularly in regions that are most vulnerable due to limited resources.
Traditionally, public health data has not been linked with climate and environmental information, hampering efforts to predict and respond to health challenges driven by climate change. The CSPH framework aims to fill this gap by merging various data sources, allowing health practitioners to better anticipate health issues related to infectious diseases, chronic conditions, and nutrition.
Implementing Climate-Smart Public Health in Madagascar
Golden’s research team has implemented CSPH in Madagascar, a country marked by high poverty rates, malnutrition, and maternal mortality, as well as frequent natural disasters like cyclones and droughts. This context provides an urgent need for effective health response strategies and makes Madagascar an ideal site for CSPH interventions.
The research team launched two projects in Madagascar that exemplify the CSPH approach. One project focused on monitoring drought conditions to evaluate the risk of crop failures and subsequent malnutrition. The other involved tracking harmful algal blooms to prevent marine food poisoning. By integrating health data from thousands of clinics with climate information, the team was able to develop targeted interventions and early warning systems for at-risk populations.
CSPH employs advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and satellite imaging, to predict environmental hazards and their health implications. Collaborating with Madagascar’s Ministry of Public Health and various NGOs, the team created an interoperable database that supports public health planning and response strategies.
The Four Pillars of Climate-Smart Public Health
The CSPH framework is built on four key pillars: surveillance and monitoring, risk assessment, early warning and response, and resilient health infrastructure. These components work together to create a comprehensive, scalable model for addressing climate-related health challenges.
1. **Surveillance and Monitoring**: The CSPH framework begins with the integration of climate, environmental, and health data. In Madagascar, researchers merged clinic-based health records with climate datasets to identify trends over time and space. This approach allows for real-time monitoring and provides actionable insights into health outcomes influenced by climate factors.
2. **Risk Assessment**: Systematic evaluation of health risks associated with climate-related events is crucial. The Madagascar team linked climate stressors—such as droughts and floods—to declines in agricultural production and increased malnutrition. By using AI to analyze these connections, they created vulnerability maps that highlight populations most at risk.
3. **Early Warning Systems**: Effective early warning systems are essential for timely responses to health threats. The CSPH framework incorporates AI and remote sensing technologies to forecast droughts and harmful algal blooms. This enables local agencies to issue prompt health alerts, ensuring that communities can take preventive actions.
4. **Resilient Health Infrastructure**: Strengthening healthcare facilities to withstand climate stressors is a vital aspect of CSPH. The initiative promotes the use of climate-resilient materials and energy sources in clinic construction, alongside training healthcare providers to recognize and manage climate-sensitive diseases.
To foster resilience against the growing health threats posed by climate change, countries must adapt their public health systems. Global organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate Change and Health (ATACH), support these efforts through collaborative initiatives.
The CSPH framework is designed to facilitate cooperation between government agencies, scientists, and communities. By leveraging reliable data about health, climate, and the environment, this approach enables nations to address health risks effectively and build more resilient futures.
In conclusion, the Climate-Smart Public Health initiative exemplifies an innovative, data-driven strategy that can be applied globally. By sharing lessons learned from Madagascar and enhancing data integration, countries can better prepare for the health challenges posed by climate change, ensuring that vulnerable populations receive the support they need.
