The Urgent Link Between Climate Change and Digital Health: A Call to Action

Climate change is no longer a distant threat — it is a pressing health crisis. Extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and shifting disease patterns are increasing the burden of disease, particularly in low-resource settings. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), climate change is exacerbating both infectious and noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), from respiratory conditions caused by air pollution to the expansion of malaria and dengue fever in new regions.

As climate-related health risks rise, digital health solutions offer an opportunity to strengthen health systems, improve real-time data collection, and scale life-saving interventions. At Reach Digital Health, we are leveraging digital technologies to close healthcare gaps and build climate-resilient health systems.

Climate Change is a Health Crisis

Heat-Related Illnesses and Maternal Health Risks

Extreme heat waves contribute to cardiovascular diseases, kidney failure, and pregnancy complications. Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable, with heat stress linked to preterm births and low birth weights.

Air Pollution and Noncommunicable Diseases

Air pollution is a leading environmental cause of chronic diseases such as asthma, heart disease, and stroke. WHO reports that climate change worsens air pollution, leading to millions of premature deaths annually.

The Rise of Climate-Sensitive Infectious Diseases

Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns are expanding the range of vector-borne diseases like malaria, dengue fever, and Zika virus. Flooding increases cholera and other waterborne disease outbreaks.

Climate Displacement and Healthcare Disruptions

Extreme weather events displace millions, disrupting access to healthcare, medications, and essential services. Droughts, floods, and hurricanes are forcing populations to migrate, making continuity of care a major challenge.

How Digital Health Could Help Address Climate-Related Health Challenges

Early Warning Systems & Real-Time Health Alerts

• Programmes such as MomConnect (South Africa) could integrate heat wave alerts to help pregnant women take precautions during extreme heat events while those like AlôVida (Mozambique) could issue flood warnings and safe water guidance via WhatsApp to prevent disease outbreaks after extreme weather events.

AI-Driven Disease Forecasting & Risk Mapping

• AI-powered health risk models can predict and prevent disease outbreaks, such as malaria surges following flooding events.
• Climate-sensitive health forecasting allows governments and health agencies to respond faster to emerging threats.

Telemedicine & Digital Health Access for Displaced Populations

• Virtual health consultations ensure continuity of care for climate-displaced communities.
• Mobile health solutions provide mental health support for individuals experiencing climate anxiety and trauma.

Strengthening Health Systems with Digital Solutions

At Reach, we’re tackling TB head-on through digital innovation as part of previous projects in Indonesia and South Africa where we leveraged AI-powered chatbots and mobile platforms to support early detection, treatment adherence, and health system strengthening. These projects focus on:

• Supporting early detection: Our WhatsApp chatbot provides TB symptom checklists and directs individuals to nearby testing facilities.
• Enhancing treatment adherence: Personalised SMS and chatbot interactions support TB patients through their treatment journey, helping them stay on track.
• Empowering health workers: Digital tools equip frontline healthcare workers with real-time patient tracking and reporting, improving efficiency in TB care.
• Supporting health workers with tracing and identifying contacts of TB Index patients.

AI-powered chatbots provide reliable, on-demand health information, ensuring people get accurate guidance on climate-sensitive health risks.

Why We Must Act Now

With half of the world’s population already affected by climate-related health issues, urgent action is needed. Policymakers, healthcare leaders, and digital health innovators must work together to integrate climate resilience into global health strategies.

At Reach Digital Health, we are committed to scaling solutions that bridge digital innovation and climate adaptation. By combining AI, mobile health, and strategic partnerships, we can build a more resilient, equitable, and sustainable healthcare future.

🎤 Join the Conversation at the Marmalade Festival

As part of our commitment to climate-resilient healthcare, Reach Digital Health is hosting a panel discussion at the Marmalade Festival, a side event of the Skoll World Forum.

📍 Panel Title: Digital Interventions at the Urgent Intersection of Climate and Health
📅 Date: Friday, 4 April 2025
🕛 Time: 12:30–14:00
📍 Venue: The Woodshed Theatre, The Story Museum, Oxford

Our session will bring together leading experts, innovators, and policymakers to explore how digital interventions can mitigate climate-driven health crises and drive impact at scale.

🔗 Be part of the solution. Let’s work together to harness digital health for a climate-secure future. [Book now]