UNGA79 Science summit 2024

Exploring Novel Solutions for Tracking and Adapting to the Health Impacts of Climate Change in Resource-Constrained Settings.

Presenters from Wits:

1. Dr. Nicholas Brink (HE2AT Center, Wits Planetary Health Research group) will be delivering a presentation titled “Responses to the Climate Change Crisis: Understanding and Monitoring the Impact of Climate Change, Packages of Adaptation Interventions, and Climate Financing.”
2. Ijeoma Solarin (Wits Planetary Health Research) will participate in the panel discussion, contributing her expertise on the social dimensions of climate-related heat exposure and maternal health.

About Dr. Brink's Presentation:
Dr. Brink will focus on the health sector’s response to climate change, with an emphasis on monitoring the impacts of climate change on health and evaluating adaptation and mitigation strategies. His presentation will highlight the importance of climate financing in supporting adaptation interventions, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Drawing on research from the HE2AT Center, his talk will outline key measurement strategies for climate interventions and discuss the need for coordinated efforts across sectors to address climate-related health challenges.

About Ijeoma Solarin's Panel Contribution:
As a key contributor to the panel discussion, Ijeoma Solarin will address the social and behavioral dimensions of how extreme heat exposure affects maternal and child health in sub-Saharan Africa. She will explore the critical link between social determinants of health—such as poverty, healthcare access, and living conditions—and how these factors interact with climate-related health risks for vulnerable populations, particularly pregnant women. Solarin will advocate for incorporating these social perspectives into broader climate adaptation strategies to ensure interventions are both equitable and effective.

Target Audience and Outreach Goals:
This session is designed to engage a broad, multidisciplinary audience, including:

• Public health professionals and researchers.
• Climate scientists, data scientists, and AI specialists.
• Policymakers, climate financing agencies, and healthcare providers.
• Civil society organizations and students interested in the intersection of climate change and health.

Addressing Your Questions:

1. Wits' Representation:
   Dr. Nicholas Brink will be speaking during the session, with Ijeoma Solarin contributing to the panel discussion.
2. Target Audience:
   Our target audience includes public health professionals, researchers, climate scientists, policymakers, healthcare providers, climate financing bodies, and civil society. The session aims to engage a multidisciplinary audience, emphasizing the intersection of climate, health, and sustainable development.

We hope to raise awareness about the health impacts of climate change, especially on vulnerable populations like pregnant women and children, and showcase how data science and social science can inform effective climate action. We would greatly appreciate it if you could share this session on Wits' communication platforms to engage the broader Wits community and external audiences.

About Wits Planetary Health Research

Wits Planetary Health Research (Wits PHR) is dedicated to advancing understanding of the interactions between human health and the environment. Through cutting-edge research, innovative solutions, and strategic partnerships, Wits PHR seeks to address the growing impacts of climate change on public health, especially in vulnerable and resource-constrained settings.

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