Climate change is affecting global public health profoundly, particularly that of the poorest and most vulnerable people worldwide.

A warming planet, extreme weather events, and drought increase the threat from certain water and vector borne diseases, such as diarrheal diseases, malaria, and dengue. They create the conditions for the emergence or spread of new and existing pathogens particularly from animal populations, increase malnutrition and starvation, and create barriers to health care access and delivery.

Higher temperatures also raise the levels of ozone and other pollutants in the air. This is leading to a rise in cardiovascular and respiratory conditions. Extreme heat waves are having an increasing impact, especially on children and the elderly.

The innovative pharmaceutical industry is tackling communicable and non-communicable diseases and conditions most affected directly or indirectly by climate change.

Companies develop new medicines, vaccines, and other therapies that can address health effects linked to climate change. In communities, they also help create and develop access programs, strengthen health care infrastructures, train local people, and increase awareness of how to prevent and control diseases and conditions.

Innovative pharmaceutical companies are researching and developing greener products and putting in place environmentally friendly production and distribution practices to deliver medical innovation to people more sustainably.

They are reducing carbon emissions across operations and value chains, investing in renewable electricity, and improving energy efficiency, reducing water use, and recycling.

Today, innovative pharmaceutical companies are working to be part of the solution to manage the impact of climate change on global public health now and in future.