Building health literacy for climate change adaptation in Thailand
Categories: Action Line 2: Evidence-based policy strategy and capacity building, Management of environmental determinants of health
Country: Thailand
Organizations: Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand
The intervention
Improving health literacy on climate change is essential for effective adaptation measures and aligns with the core strategies of the Health National Adaptation Plan (HNAP), which aims to mitigate the health impacts of climate change and strengthen the resilience of health systems. The Department of Health promotes preventive behaviors related to heat, floods, droughts, and PM2.5 through three key actions: (1) strengthening individuals’ ability to access, assess, and apply information for health protection; (2) enhancing partnerships with health sectors, local authorities, and communities through capacity-building, data-driven planning, and inclusive communication via radio and digital media; and (3) assessing literacy using a standardized scale from “Below Basic” to “Very Good.” A 2024 survey found 76.6% at “Good” levels, underscoring progress and remaining gaps.
Success factors
Success has been driven by strong multi-sectoral collaboration, inclusive communication strategies, and evidence-based design. Partnerships among health authorities, community leaders, and environmental agencies ensured that health literacy initiatives reflected local realities and vulnerabilities. Diverse media platforms - community radio, social media, and digital tools - expanded outreach to vulnerable groups. Regular assessments and feedback loops guided program refinement and accountability. These mechanisms collectively improved individual knowledge, influenced health behaviors, and strengthened community resilience to climate-related health risks.
Recommendations
Building health literacy on climate change is a powerful approach to strengthening people’s adaptive capacity. Replication requires designing interventions that reflect local climate risks, cultural contexts, and population needs. Beyond enhancing individual knowledge and decision-making, efforts should also focus on creating supportive community environments - through local institutions, networks, and resources - that enable and sustain adaptive behaviors. Integrating these approaches within broader health and climate adaptation strategies helps build long-term resilience at both individual and community levels.
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