AB049. Environmental health priorities for climate change adaptation: new practical efforts to reduce the environmental burden of disease in Asia

Background: Asian countries are increasingly facing severe threats from climate change, which significantly contributes to environmental health risks and the Global Burden of Disease (GBD). In this context, the region’s strategic objective is to minimize population exposure to environmental health hazards associated with climate change and mitigate their impact on disease burden. This study aims to demonstrate an integrated approach to environmental health assessment through cross-sectoral data integration and regional collaboration. We highlight the application of intervention models tailored to specific communities and geographic contexts, reflecting the diverse environmental exposures and health determinants across Asia.

Methods: We employed disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) as the primary metric for quantifying disease burden using publicly available data. This included an analysis of years of life lost (YLL) and years lived with disability (YLD), assessed through incidence and mortality rates. Attributable risks were estimated based on parameters established for the World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region. For air pollution, we calculated attributable risk using local particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of 10 micrometers or less (PM₁₀) concentrations and corresponding relative risk values.

Results: We outline a regional agenda that identifies key priorities and gaps to support both immediate and long-term strategies for reducing the environmental components of GBD. We present the methodological framework used to define these environmental health priorities and discuss how they inform scientific investments and policy decisions aimed at reducing environmentally attributable disease burdens.

Conclusions: Quantifying the environmental burden of disease is essential for informing healthcare policy and risk mitigation strategies in Asia. The epidemiological transition reflected in our findings underscores the growing significance of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) linked to chronic environmental exposures. These insights provide a roadmap for targeted interventions and evidence-based decision-making in the face of accelerating climate and environmental challenges.

Keywords: Global Burden of Disease (GBD); environmental determinants of health; non-communicable diseases (NCDs); climate change adaptation