Developing Climate and Health Data Services (Based on Pathfinder Studies in Pakistan and Malawi)

Climate change will significantly escalate health risks, particularly in low- resource settings, threatening vulnerable populations and disrupting health systems. However, the absence of reliable, comprehensive, long-term datasets linking climate change and health impacts limits effective decision-making and forecasting. To address this, we propose establishing Climate and Health Data Services in Malawi and Pakistan, aiming to enhance climate-informed health decisions, optimize resource allocation, and inform risk-reducing policies. Recent events underscore urgency: Pakistan’s 2022 floods affected over 33 million individuals, while Malawi faced climate shocks impacting more than 6.5 million people. Partnering with national health and climate ministries, we will integrate fragmented climate and health data, creating information assets and tools to inform decision making. The proposed program comprises four work packages: co-designing data services, operationalizing via local technology partners, building local research and communication capacity, and ensuring sustainability. Our consortium (PATH, Aga Khan University, Impetus, Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences, and Columbia University’s IRI) offers robust expertise across climate-health modeling, public health, technology development, policy advocacy, and applied research. By leveraging alternative funding streams, this initiative will establish scalable, climate- resilient health systems and position both countries to attract sustainable financing from international sources.