Climate emergencies and health system resilience collaborative research action (CHESS): challenges and best practice from the UK and Australia

Background and aim Health was chosen as a science priority area for the 2021 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow as well as in other international initiatives such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, to bring a stronger focus to the environmental protection and disaster risk reduction agendas. Within this global context, the UK and Australian National Health Systems are committed to providing equitable, high quality health care, which requires capability and capacity to respond to the health emergencies of climate and humanitarian disasters. Methods We have launched the climate emergencies and health system resilience collaborative research action (CHESS) between UK and Australian research institutions and healthcare associations to develop and strengthen a shared, evidence-based understanding of two key priorities: (1) Adaptation to climate change through building climate resilient health systems with people and nature in mind and (2) Mitigation of climate change through developing and implementing low carbon sustainable health systems. This collaborative research action is based on a series of roundtable discussions and comparative analysis of case studies. Results CHESS includes case studies in the following areas to better inform planning of health systems: 1) Resilience of health services and communities to climate and humanitarian disasters with emphasis on how mitigation and adaption measures can be amplified to address disparities; 2) Support of workforce and patient physical and mental health and well-being, and training to champion and promote sustainable healthcare services; 3) Sustainability of the healthcare sector to reduce carbon emissions, waste and low value care. CHESS will foster the use of scientific evidence in evaluating specific interventions. Conclusions: This talk will introduce the current research priorities and outline future research perspectives, considering the current evidence and gaps in knowledge in the UK and Australian healthcare systems. Keywords: Climate, Policy and practice, Natural and humanitarian disasters, Sustainability