Abstracts

Important dates

The CHAC 2024 issues a Call for abstracts or case studies inviting researchers, scholars, and practitioners to contribute oral and poster presentations on a diverse range of topics related to climate change and related environmental factors on human health. Abstracts should present original research, studies, or reviews that contribute to the understanding of health impacts associated with climate change.

We are currently seeking research abstracts, with a maximum word limit of 350 words, as well as case studies, with a maximum word limit of 500 words.

Submissions should align to the following scientific themes:

Scientific Themes:

1. Track A: Pathophysiology and biological mechanisms
2. Track B: Health impacts and epidemiology
3. Track C: Adaptation interventions, and building climate resilient health systems
4. Track D: Mitigation actions and their co-benefits
5. Track E: Ethics and climate research equity

This track focuses on understanding the physiological and biological mechanisms through which climate change and environmental factors impact human health. It explores the direct effects of these factors on human physiology, including the pathways, processes, and underlying mechanisms involved. Areas of focus include, but are not limited to:

• Investigating the effects of climate change and environmental factors across different systems within the human body, including respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, neurological, and immune system amongst others.
• Exploring the unique genetic variations and physiological responses of African populations to climate change-related health challenges.
• Investigating the influence of traditional African healing practices and herbal medicine on the biological mechanisms of climate-induced health issues.

Track B: Environmental exposures and climate-health epidemiology

This track aims to expand the evidence base for health impacts of climate change and related environmental factors. It explores the measurement of environmental exposures relevant to climate-health epidemiology. Moreover, it focuses on climate-related health outcomes, including the identification, assessment, and monitoring of health risks, as well as the study of disease patterns and trends associated with climate change important for adaptation and mitigation policy and programs to reduce impacts of climate on health. Areas of focus include but are not limited to:

• Evidence of associations between climate change and environmental exposures on adverse health across the life course.
• African centered systematic reviews linking climate related environmental exposures with specific health outcomes.
• Harmonization and alignment of definitions, indicators, and measurement methods
• Novel data driven methods of characterizing climate change related environmental exposures and linking these with health records.
• Examining the health disparities and vulnerabilities of specific African communities to climate- related diseases.
• Studies on the varying effects of different climate variables in different regions of the continent (non-stationary effects).
• Investigating the impact of climate change on traditional African livelihoods, such as both commercial and subsistence agriculture and fishing, and its subsequent effects on community health and well-being.

Track C: Adaptation interventions and building climate resilient health systems

The track focusses on research on climate adaptation interventions for health systems and communities so that they are better equipped to confront climate-related hazards that affect human health and wellbeing.  These interventions might be co-produced and/or focus on behavioural change, early warning systems, green infrastructure, physical infrastructure, capacity building of the health workforce, new technologies, innovation in service delivery, and occupational health.

Contributions that address financing and policy issues related to the improvement of climate resilience are encouraged in Track C. The methodology used either to develop the interventions or to evaluate them falls within the scope of Track C.

Interventions may cover any level (from national to regional, local and facility levels), and may focus on any health issues:

• Climate adaptation of health systems: research on interventions addressing the needs of health care workforce, health facility infrastructure, water and waste management, energy services, health information systems, and new approaches to service delivery, new technologies.
• Climate adaptation in communities: research or experience with community-led adaptation practices; role of African cultural heritage and traditional practices.
• Using climate adaptation implementation approaches, methodological approaches, and citizen science to develop climate adaptation interventions.
• Measuring the impact of climate adaptation interventions: effectiveness of concrete adaptation measures and interventions such as early warning systems, heatwave response plans, policy changes, green infrastructure, infrastructure modifications, technological innovations.
• Policy and financing:  Research on financing (considering private, public, bilateral, or multilateral sources); strategies to prepare for future climate related hazards; advocacy and engagement with policy makers on climate adaptation for health; experience with the creation of policies or regulations to allow adaptation for health; experience with national climate adaptation plans.
• Adaptation and mitigation: integration of adaptation and mitigation interventions.
• Crosscutting dimensions of interventions: gender, inequity, economics and costs, funding challenges, communication, education, and training.

Track D: Mitigation actions and their co-benefits

This track explores interventions and approaches aimed at mitigating climate change and reducing its impact on human health. It encompasses efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote sustainable practices, and implement policies and interventions that contribute to a healthier and more sustainable environment. Areas of focus include but not limited to:

• Harness the potential of sustainable energy solutions and renewable technologies that align with Africa’s rich natural resources and cultural values, and where these result in health co-benefits.
• Studies measuring both changes in greenhouse gas emissions and health outcomes from one or more actions or policies.
• Co-benefit strategies and innovations to obtain an efficient sustainable low carbon-emissions and resilient health system.
• Investigating the potential of eco-friendly and culturally-appropriate urban planning, reforestation and infrastructure development to promote low-carbon and healthy cities.
• Highlighting the role of African indigenous practices, such as agroforestry and sustainable land management to increase or safeguard carbon storage/sequestration, and reduce emissions;
• Case studies and best practices showing research translation and informing decision-making towards mitigation (and adaptation) and the health co-benefits.

Track E: Ethics and climate research equity

This track examines ethical considerations and issues related to climate change and health research. It explores the ethical implications of conducting research in this field, including issues of equity, justice, and fairness in the distribution of resources, benefits, and burdens associated with climate change and its health impacts. It also addresses considerations of inclusivity, diversity, and the involvement of marginalized communities in climate and health research. Areas of focus include but are not limited to:

• Addressing ethical considerations in climate and health research involving African communities, such as community engagement, consent processes, and benefits sharing.
• Exploring the decolonization of climate and health research and ensuring equitable representation, participation, and leadership of African researchers and practitioners.
• Examining the ethical implications of climate change policies and interventions on African communities, with a focus on social justice, human rights, and health equity.
• Exploring the role of African indigenous knowledge systems in understanding and responding to climate-related health impacts
• Examining how to balance direct human health gains and other social, economic, ecological, cultural benefits of climate and health research.
• Exploring ethical frameworks for climate and health research that also take into account non-human interests, for example One Health approaches.