As climate change takes a growing toll on health, this new WRI research addresses the fact that many countries are unprepared. Few governments and health agencies have analyzed the climate, environmental, and health pathways to understand how climate change will impact their populations. 

The exploratory analysis estimates the economic value of “climate services for health” (CSfH), the upstream measures that help countries anticipate and prepare for climate-related impacts on health. These measures include early warning systems, disease surveillance, analysis of disease vectors, public awareness campaigns, and resilient health facilities. 

Using cost-benefit analysis to model the effects of these services on reducing climate-related sickness and death, the study finds that the estimated economic returns range from US$3.60 to $68.40 per dollar invested. The funding requirements are modest relative to the high value of lives saved. Despite their relatively low cost, these tools remain underused and underfunded in many countries, even as climate-related health threats grow more frequent and severe. 

This analysis supports global efforts to scale up CSfH development and application by strengthening their investment case. While there is extensive literature on how climate change influences health outcomes, specific economic analysis of the costs and benefits of these investments remains underexplored. Insufficient financing for CSfH may be due to this gap in understanding — a gap that this study addresses.

Key Findings

  • This exploratory analysis estimates the economic value of CSfH, defined as producing and applying climate knowledge to enhance health decisions and services. It uses cost-benefit analysis to model the effects of CSfH on reducing climate-related health impacts and costs.
  • The estimated economic returns from investing in CSfH range from US$3.60 to $68.40 per dollar invested, reflecting modest funding requirements relative to the high value of lives saved. The wide range reflects different assumptions on risk, scale, and effectiveness. Returns remain strong even under worst-case assumptions.
  • While priorities, capacities, and costs vary across countries, average CSfH investment needs for a median-sized developing country are estimated to be $12–$18 million per year.
  • Only 23 percent of surveyed WMO Member States integrate meteorological information into health surveillance systems, yet such integration helps decision-makers understand the type, location, and scale of health risks. Such information is important for addressing climate-related diseases, including malaria, dengue, cholera, diarrhea, and heatstroke — which disproportionately affect more vulnerable populations.
  • Implementing CSfH activities is complex and interdisciplinary. They require improved capacities, leadership, and collaboration across hydrometeorological, health, planning, research, and other institutions.

Preview image by Bengal Picture Library/ Alamy