Communicating on climate change and health: toolkit for health professionals
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World Health Organization
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x, 25 p.
Communicating the health risks of climate change and the health benefits of climate solutions is an important component of public health action. This toolkit is designed to support health professionals and health workers in communicating effectively about climate change and health with patients, communities, colleagues, policymakers, journalists and other stakeholders. It explains why climate change is one of the greatest health threats of the 21st century, describes its direct and indirect impacts on health, and highlights the opportunities for improving health and wellbeing through climate action. The publication also emphasizes the trusted role of health professionals as communicators and advocates for health-protective climate solutions. Drawing on evidence from communication research and practical experience, the toolkit provides guidance on how to frame messages, understand audiences, avoid common communication challenges and use clear, accessible language. It presents key principles for climate-health communication, including focusing on health impacts and co-benefits, empowering audiences, using storytelling, and adapting messages to local contexts. Case studies and sample messages illustrate practical applications of these approaches. The toolkit aims to strengthen the confidence and capacity of health professionals to engage in climate-health communication and support informed action to protect health in a changing climate.
Communicating the health risks of climate change and the health benefits of climate solutions is an important component of public health action. This toolkit is designed to support health professionals and health workers in communicating effectively about climate change and health with patients, communities, colleagues, policymakers, journalists and other stakeholders. It explains why climate change is one of the greatest health threats of the 21st century, describes its direct and indirect impacts on health, and highlights the opportunities for improving health and wellbeing through climate action. The publication also emphasizes the trusted role of health professionals as communicators and advocates for health-protective climate solutions. Drawing on evidence from communication research and practical experience, the toolkit provides guidance on how to frame messages, understand audiences, avoid common communication challenges and use clear, accessible language. It presents key principles for climate-health communication, including focusing on health impacts and co-benefits, empowering audiences, using storytelling, and adapting messages to local contexts. Case studies and sample messages illustrate practical applications of these approaches. The toolkit aims to strengthen the confidence and capacity of health professionals to engage in climate-health communication and support informed action to protect health in a changing climate.