Nepal’s vulnerability to climate change has significant implications for public health, particularly for vulnerable demographics such as the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions. The intersection of climate change and public health in Nepal necessitates effective responses that integrate public health into climate policy and tailor interventions to local contexts.
The vulnerability of Nepal to climate change has significant impacts on public health, particularly affecting vulnerable demographics such as the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions. Climate change exacerbates existing health risks and introduces new challenges, impacting air pollution, disease transmission patterns, and deepening inequalities. While Nepal has made progress in formulating climate change adaptation and health policies, the transition to federalism has introduced challenges in resource allocation and integration with health budgets. The devolution of power to provincial and local governments has led to strains on local health systems, with capacity and experience gaps at the local level resulting in insufficient prioritization of climate change responses in local plans. There is also a lack of coordination between government agencies and stakeholders involved in climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.
Furthermore, the assessment revealed a lack of integration of climate change into Nepal’s national-level adaptation plans. To address these challenges, a multi-level governance approach involving local and national actors is necessary, along with fostering bi-directional communication among all levels of government. Integrating public health into climate policy and tailoring interventions to local contexts while ensuring equitable access and prioritizing the needs of marginalized communities are crucial steps in addressing this crisis.
