The health of people and society is deeply connected to our planet’s health. Ageing populations, a rise in chronic diseases and the impacts of the climate emergency are increasing health inequities and adding further pressures to health systems around the world. Through collaboration, we can build healthcare systems that are more equitable, sustainable and resilient, improving the lives of more people.
Tackling climate change
Climate change already affects health directly through more frequent and intense weather events like extreme heatwaves, floods, and wildfires, resulting in increased death and disease. It also affects the health workforce and infrastructure, reducing the ability to provide care.
The health sector is also contributing to the climate crisis which is, in turn, is exacerbating the rise in chronic diseases. Currently, around 5% of global emissions stem from healthcare, due to the impact of the production and distribution of medicines.
Early detection and optimal treatment are key for keeping people well and out of the hospital. They are also critical factors in reducing the environmental footprint of the health sector, alongside the decarbonisation of healthcare. No one can take on this huge undertaking alone and sector-wide partnerships driving collective action will be crucial to transitioning to net-zero.
Urgent action is needed to adapt to the changes already here, reduce further changes and mitigate risks before decades of improvement in global health are undone.
Advancing health equity
We must ensure health systems can serve all, making a concerted effort to close care gaps. To do so we must prioritise equity, especially as vulnerable populations bear the brunt of both climate change and overburdened health systems.
We believe addressing the social determinants of disease improves health equity, alleviates poverty, and enhances social cohesion. For example, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) primarily affect people of lower socio-economic status including those with barriers to accessing education, living in poverty, who are unemployed, or marginalised due to their ethnicity or sex. Building equitable health systems can address barriers to early disease detection, accurate diagnosis, participation in clinical trials, and access to high-quality therapies, providing all individuals with an opportunity to pursue their healthiest lives.
Supporting healthcare system resilience
The delivery of effective healthcare requires stable systems with the right infrastructure to meet the needs of its population. Systems face multiple threats, including economic instability, conflict, emerging infectious disease and climate change.
Everyone, no matter who they are or where they live, should have access to timely, quality care, including regular health checks and screenings for conditions like cancer and chronic kidney disease. For instance, lung cancer screening through advanced techniques like low-dose CT scans, X-rays enhanced by AI, and other early detection methods can significantly reduce disease burden.
Acting early on NCDs through prevention and early detection will also improve health outcomes for patients, reduce pressures on health systems, and benefit societies by boosting economic activity and workforce participation.
It is critical that we deliver concerted action on the nexus between climate and health. Ironically, the health sector contributes to the climate crisis which is, in turn, exacerbating the rise in chronic diseases. This is because making, moving, and delivering medicines and care is energy intensive. Keeping people well and out of the hospital through early detection and optimal treatment is also key to reducing this environmental footprint. Equally important is the decarbonisation of healthcare. This is a huge undertaking, and sector-wide partnerships focused on collective action are crucial to transitioning to net-zero health systems.
Good health is what we all desire for ourselves and our loved ones but achieving something this significant for as many people as possible can’t be accomplished through a single lens, or by acting alone. Science is most powerful when we see health as integral to people, society and our planet. When we continually push forward, progressing our understanding of disease. And when our talented teams are part of like-minded collaborations and partnerships, co-creating innovative solutions that transform care. Together, this is making a big difference to our health.
Want to know more? Visit Sustainability at AstraZeneca to discover how we drive sustainability for the health of people, society and the planet.
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Veeva ID: Z4-69101
Date of preparation: October 2024