Effects of Climate Change on Health and Health Systems: A Systematic Review of Preparedness, Resilience, and Challenges

Vasileios Gkouliaveras, Stavros Kalogiannidis (), Dimitrios Kalfas () and Stamatis Kontsas
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Vasileios Gkouliaveras: Department of Business Administration, School of Economic Sciences, University of Western Macedonia, 51100 Grevena, Greece
Stavros Kalogiannidis: Department of Business Administration, School of Economic Sciences, University of Western Macedonia, 51100 Grevena, Greece
Dimitrios Kalfas: Department of Agriculture, School of Agricultural Sciences, University of Western Macedonia, 53100 Florina, Greece
Stamatis Kontsas: Department of Business Administration, School of Economic Sciences, University of Western Macedonia, 51100 Grevena, Greece

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 2, 1-27

Abstract: Climate change has a significant impact on the population’s health and negatively affects the functioning of healthcare systems. Health systems must be operationally prepared to handle the challenges posed by environmental change. Resilience is required to adapt quickly to critical environmental conditions and reduce carbon emissions. In this systematic review strategies, for health system preparedness and resilience are examined to address the impacts of climate change, and the barriers and challenges faced when implementing them. To identify studies, the Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched three times (from April to October 2024, 21 April, 15 June, and 9 September) for the years 2018 to 2024, using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) methodology. Specifically, the search identified 471 articles, of which the specified inclusion and exclusion criteria (secondary studies with inclusion criteria, being in English, etc.) were met by sixteen (16) studies. According to the findings of the studies reviewed, adaptation strategies focus on structural changes, the development of training programs, the development of surveillance systems, and appropriate operational plans. The leader’s ability to motivate employees to achieve defined goals, continuous evaluation of goals and interventions, and learning from previous disasters play an important role in their implementation. Similarly, key policies and strategies for mitigation include the adoption of sustainable practices, such as recycling and cultural change. However, lack of resources (human, material, financial) and increased demand for health services make it difficult to implement adaptation and mitigation strategies. The findings of the review are mainly theoretical in nature and are confirmed by other studies. It is suggested that further research on resilience and preparedness of health systems should be pursued, leading to their sustainability and the formulation of appropriate policies.

Keywords: climate change; health systems; sustainable health system; health care adaptation strategies; resilience challenges; climate change mitigation policies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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