Abstract:
Climate services for health can facilitate health resilience and adaptation to climate change, particularly if they
are well-calibrated to promote wellness and save lives. In this study, the status of climate services for health in
South Africa’s Agincourt sub-district, Mpumalanga province, was assessed. A qualitative case study methodology
encompassing multiple methods of data collection was used. The results show that climate services for health in
the Agincourt sub-district, albeit essential, are fragmented and underdeveloped. Scientifically informed heathealth
services are non-existent. Notwithsatnding this gap, healthcare and allied professionals are aware of
the importance of climate services for health. The main barrier to climate services delivery is the paucity of
interagency coordination; for example, coordination to plan and respond to climate-health information between
the South African Weather Services and the Departments of Health and Education is lacking. Inclusive climate
services for health are essential for positive prevention and treatment outcomes. Future studies must provide an
investment case for climate services for health, demonstrating the benefits of acting and the costs of inaction.
Description:
DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT : Qualitative datasets that are restricted and not publicly available.
Due to confidentiality agreements, supporting data can only be made
available to bona fide researchers subject to a non-disclosure agreement.
Details of the data and how to request access are available from A.E.
Manyuchi at Global Change Institute of The University of the
Witwatersrand.
