Climate change is already disrupting lives worldwide, making adaptation measures, such as resilient infrastructure, land restoration, and water safety planning, essential to protect both communities and ecosystems. The SPRINGS project contributes to this effort by addressing the impacts of climate change on waterborne diarrheal diseases, ensuring that health remains central to adaptation strategies.
A new analysis of over 2.4 million social media posts and news headlines reveals that only 3.1% of climate-related content mentions health impacts, exposing a critical gap in public discourse. Researchers highlight the need for health-focused messaging to mobilise broader climate action.
New research shows that combining weather data with health information helps predict viral diarrhoeal disease, supporting the SPRINGS project’s climate-resilient health solutions. The study, involving SPRINGS member Josh Colston, highlights weather station and satellite data as valuable tools for global health initiatives.
As climate change alters the environment, the link between shifting climates and infectious diseases becomes clearer. Waterborne diarrheal diseases, once mostly limited to low- and middle-income countries, are now a growing threat in higher-income regions due to changing climate.
How do we prepare ourselves for the "new now"? The increased recurrence of heavy rain, flooding, and heat waves will give more work for everyone, especially cities.
Diarrhoea is, globally, the third largest cause of death for children under 5. Climate change, driving increased flooding and droughts, threatens the fragile progress made in reducing the burden of diarrheal disease over the past decades.
