The project
MOUNTADAPT is a three-year Horizon Europe project running from June 2024 to May 2027 aiming to boost the community-driven transformation of the health system in mountain areas. The goal is twofold:
- Reduce the direct and indirect effects of climate change on people’s health, safety, and well-being
- Strengthen health systems’ response to climate change to protect public health.
The problem
As global carbon emissions continue to rise, the effects of climate change are clearer than ever.
Populations living in Europe’s mountain regions are particularly exposed, experiencing issues such as decreased air quality, more frequent and intense heat waves, increased pollen exposure, and a higher risk of landslides and floods.
These changes are impacting both communities and health systems, with significant effects on public health, including:
- Cardiovascular, chronic, and respiratory diseases
- Infectious diseases spread by insects and animals
- Risks to physical safety.
Addressing these challenges and enhancing healthcare climate resilience, all while protecting people’s health, is crucial.
The solutions
MOUNTADAPT aims to develop solutions, training, and guidance to address these challenges.
The project will
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Produce climate and health models to predict and anticipate future climate impacts on health
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Develop and test monitoring, early warning, response, and emergency management solutions to respond to climate-related extreme events
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Train healthcare professionals about the effects of climate change on health
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Raise awareness of the adverse effects of climate change on health among the population, and inform them about appropriate behaviours to reduce these risks
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Develop guidance for health systems to adapt to climate change and better protect public health.
The strategy
MOUNTADAPT adopts a strategy based on networking, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing.
Engaging a diverse range of stakeholders and health systems allows for a continuous co-development process. At the same time, training healthcare professionals and raising public awareness will equip stakeholders to effectively use the implemented solutions and contribute to climate-resilient health systems.
This process is divided into four main steps.
Step 1 – Development & design
Adaptation solutions are co-designed and co-developed with demonstration site partners, which are their end users. This collaborative process allows for progressive development and early testing, ensuring relevance and effectiveness.
Step 2 - Testing at demonstration sites
Once solutions are developed, they are implemented and tested in real-world conditions at four demonstration sites. Specific data is collected during this phase to evaluate their effectiveness and broader impact.
Step 3 - Assessment
The collected data is analysed to assess the performance and impact of the climate adaptation solutions developed. The findings are meant to inform the following solutions and improvements.
Step 4 - Replication
Some of the solutions developed are reproduced at replication sites. Guidelines for replication in other health systems, inside and outside mountain areas, are created and gathered into a Full guide for the implementation of adaptation solutions.
The partners
MOUNTADAPT brings together 27 partners from across Europe, including universities, research centres, local institutions, health systems, NGOs, companies, and innovators. Through co-creation, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration, this diverse network ensures that the solutions developed are both practical and scalable. These efforts lay the groundwork for resilient health systems capable of addressing the challenges posed by climate change.