This chapter explores the critical role of digital maturity, technology adoption and data analytics as hospitals and health systems seek to adapt to the physical and operational stressors imposed by the impact of climate change. As environmental conditions change and extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, healthcare services face significant disruptions that can exacerbate known and yet-to-be defined challenges in delivery systems, care of populations and public health services. Factors such as air and water pollution, food production and distribution, shifts in prevalence and geographies of acute, chronic and infectious diseases, social conflict, resource availability and population health burden place additional strain on healthcare infrastructure and demand innovative adaptation, mitigation and resilience strategies. The integration of digital technologies in healthcare emerges as a critical tool in maintaining continuity, quality of care, and cost efficiency amid these challenges. In this chapter, we will review use of digital solutions, including telehealth, clinical health information systems, and mobile health applications that facilitate real-time health data collection, dissemination and utilization at the patient and population level, and their role in health systems adaptation, strengthening and resilience. This chapter also highlights the role of artificial intelligence and predictive analytics in modeling climate impacts on health, enabling proactive public health interventions and resource planning. Moreover, the authors address the implications of climate change for global mortality rates and economic costs, emphasizing the importance of resilient health systems in mitigating these impacts. By examining case studies and emerging practices, this paper provides insights into how health systems worldwide are adapting to the realities of climate change through technology and data utilization to improve system readiness and response in the new normal of global health challenges.

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Digital Technologies for Climate Change Resilient Health Systems

  • Toni J. Laracuente,
  • Monica L. Nakielski,
  • Chethan Sarabu,
  • Philip Bradley

摘要

This chapter explores the critical role of digital maturity, technology adoption and data analytics as hospitals and health systems seek to adapt to the physical and operational stressors imposed by the impact of climate change. As environmental conditions change and extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, healthcare services face significant disruptions that can exacerbate known and yet-to-be defined challenges in delivery systems, care of populations and public health services. Factors such as air and water pollution, food production and distribution, shifts in prevalence and geographies of acute, chronic and infectious diseases, social conflict, resource availability and population health burden place additional strain on healthcare infrastructure and demand innovative adaptation, mitigation and resilience strategies. The integration of digital technologies in healthcare emerges as a critical tool in maintaining continuity, quality of care, and cost efficiency amid these challenges. In this chapter, we will review use of digital solutions, including telehealth, clinical health information systems, and mobile health applications that facilitate real-time health data collection, dissemination and utilization at the patient and population level, and their role in health systems adaptation, strengthening and resilience. This chapter also highlights the role of artificial intelligence and predictive analytics in modeling climate impacts on health, enabling proactive public health interventions and resource planning. Moreover, the authors address the implications of climate change for global mortality rates and economic costs, emphasizing the importance of resilient health systems in mitigating these impacts. By examining case studies and emerging practices, this paper provides insights into how health systems worldwide are adapting to the realities of climate change through technology and data utilization to improve system readiness and response in the new normal of global health challenges.