Dominica Advances Climate-Resilient Healthcare through Its Climate and Health Bulletin

photo credit: Postdlf, CC BY-SA 3.0

The Commonwealth of Dominica is strengthening the integration of climate information into public health planning and decision-making through the development and dissemination of its Climate and Health Bulletin. This initiative supports the country's commitment to building a climate-resilient health system and protecting communities from the growing health risks associated with climate variability and climate change. 

The bulletin is developed through collaboration among the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services, the Dominica Meteorological Service, the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH), and other relevant health and disaster management stakeholders. This multidisciplinary approach promotes the use of climate information alongside health surveillance data to identify potential risks, inform preparedness activities, and support timely public health action. 

Published quarterly, the bulletin provides information on recent climate conditions, seasonal climate outlooks, and their potential implications for public health in Dominica. It highlights climate-sensitive health concerns, including vector-borne diseases such as dengue, respiratory health risks associated with Saharan dust, and the potential health consequences of extreme heat, heavy rainfall, flooding, and other weather-related hazards. It also incorporates relevant public health updates and practical recommendations to help individuals, communities, and health professionals prepare for and respond to these risks. 

The bulletin serves as an important communication tool, translating climate information into accessible, health-focused messages. By strengthening the connection between meteorological services and the health sector, it encourages the use of climate intelligence in health surveillance, risk communication, environmental health activities, and public health planning. It also provides an avenue for raising awareness of how changing weather patterns can influence disease transmission, environmental conditions, and community well-being. 

The initiative reflects the value of intersectoral collaboration in addressing the health impacts of climate change. Through the continued engagement of technical experts and institutional partners, Dominica is working to improve the availability and use of climate services for health, strengthen early warning and preparedness efforts, and support evidence-informed decision-making. 

Dissemination through appropriate communication channels, including the Ministry of Health's public information platforms, will help extend the bulletin's reach and encourage greater public awareness of climate-related health risks. The long-term goal is to establish the bulletin as a sustainable resource for health professionals, policymakers, partner agencies, and the general public. 

Dominica's Climate and Health Bulletin demonstrates how collaboration, climate information, and targeted communication can contribute to a more resilient health system. The initiative aligns with the objectives of the Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate and Health (ATACH) by supporting efforts to strengthen climate-resilient health systems and protect populations from the health impacts of climate change. 

Read the latest Climate and Health Bulletin here.