The health effects of climate change: identifying strategies, policies, and knowledge gaps: an umbrella review

Abstract

Climate change has emerged as a significant global challenge with profound implications for human health. This umbrella review synthesizes findings from systematic reviews and meta-analyses to examine the health impacts of climate change and identify strategies to mitigate these effects. This is an umbrella study conducted in major health and biomedical databases, including PubMed, ISI Web of Knowledge, Scopus, and Google Scholar, for articles published between 2011 and 2021. The search strategy followed the protocol published in BMJ Journal in 2020. The selected articles underwent a rigorous screening process based on predefined inclusion criteria. A total of 37 systematic review articles were included in the study. The thematic analysis identified a range of strategies and policies aimed at mitigating the health effects of climate change, including adaptation measures, public health interventions, and interdisciplinary collaborations. The analysis also revealed significant knowledge gaps in certain areas, highlighting the need for further research. The identified strategies and policies offer valuable insights for policymakers, healthcare professionals, and researchers. By integrating these findings into evidence-based policies and practices, we can enhance our ability to mitigate the adverse health impacts of climate change and promote resilience in the face of this global challenge.

Keywords: Climate change; health outcomes; knowledge gaps; strategies; umbrella review.