Rising temperatures have pushed global health systems into a state of growing fragility, with extreme heat causing hundreds of thousands of deaths each year and many hospitals vulnerable to climate-related shutdowns. Direct health sector adaptation interventions will require over US$ 22 billion per year by 2035. The Belém Health Action Plan, launched at COP30, calls for strategies that address the root causes of health inequity, and are based on a common taxonomy, shared standards for assessing effectiveness and cost-effectiveness, a focus on local context and scalability, and sustained investment.
While many countries are beginning to strengthen early-warning systems and climate-resilient infrastructure, major gaps remain, particularly in protecting vulnerable communities. With clear evidence and practical solutions already available, governments are urged to integrate health into climate policy, invest in resilient facilities, and ensure communities play a central role in shaping responses.