A critical analysis of national plans for climate adaptation for health in South America.

Climate adaptation measures are critical for protecting human health. National Adaptation Plans (NAPs), Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and National Communications (NCs) play a crucial role in helping countries identify, analyze, and address their vulnerabilities to climate change impacts, while also assessing available resources and capacities. This study aimed to assess the comprehensiveness of South American countries' NAPs, NDCs, and NCs in addressing the effects of climate change on health. A total of 38 NAPs, NDCs, and NCs of 12 South American countries were analysed. Ad hoc scores were developed to assess baseline information, adaptation proposals, identification of involved institutions, funding needs and allocation, measurable progress indicators, and coherence. Overall, all South American countries have NDCs and NCs, and seven have NAPs. In most countries, the intersectoral health analysis revealed a lack of linkage to health issues related to that sector. Additionally, most planning documents lack detailed information to guide policymakers in taking practical actions; areas with low scores include allocation of funds, involvement of health-related institutions, and measurable indicators. While South American countries acknowledge the health impacts of climate change in their plans, enhancing public health protection requires maximizing climate policy benefits and including health-related issues across all relevant sectors. Funding: This study was not funded. However, three co-authors received funding for some of their time: AV and KC were supported by the Wellcome Trust (209734/Z/17/Z); RCN was funded by K01AI139284 (NIH-NIAID). Funding for the publication was provided by Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia.

The Lancet Countdown South America: increasing health opportunities by identifying the gaps in health and climate change research.

South America is experiencing the effects of climate change, including extreme weather events and changes in temperature and precipitation patterns. These effects interact with existing social vulnerabilities, exacerbating their impact on the health and wellbeing of populations. This viewpoint highlights four main messages from the series, which presented key gaps from five different perspectives of health and climate. First, there is an overall need for local analyses of priority topics to inform public policy, which include national and sub-national evidence to adequately strengthen responses and preparedness for climate change hazards and address relevant social vulnerabilities in South American countries. Second, research in health and climate is done in silos and the intersection is not clear in terms of responsibility and leadership; therefore, transdisciplinary research and action are key. Third, climate research, policies, and action need to be reflected in effective funding schemes, which until now are very limited. For adaptation and mitigation policies to be effective, they need a robust and long-term funding scheme. Finally, climate action is a big opportunity for healthier and more prosperous societies in South America, taking the advantage of strategic climate policies to face the challenges of climate change and tackle existing social inequities.