Advancing Integration of Climate and Health Policies in the Caribbean

The report identifies a critical need to accelerate the integration of health and climate policies in the Caribbean to address climatic vulnerability and a dual burden of non-communicable and infectious diseases. While there is general support for this integration, current links remain nascent and tenuous. Key barriers include siloed government operations, a rigid top-down policymaking process, inadequate financial and technical resources, and significant data gaps. Opportunities for progress lie in national development plans, international climate commitments, and the health co-benefits of renewable energy. The authors advocate for a 'climate in all policies' approach, enhanced multi-sectoral communication, and the use of analytical risk assessment tools to move from awareness to decisive policy action.

• There is a variable understanding of the link between climate and health among stakeholders, with a perceived 'dose-dependent' relationship where those personally impacted by climate events are more aware of the need for joint policy.
• Existing linkages between climate and health policies in the Caribbean are described as nascent and tenuous, with few examples of closely integrated policies.
• Governmental 'silos' and a rigid, top-down policymaking process significantly impede the integration of climate and health policies, often excluding health professionals from key climate negotiations.
• Political instability and frequent changes in administration create a lack of continuity in policy implementation, described as 'rebuilding a house every five to 10 years'.
• Financial and technical resource gaps are major barriers, specifically the complexity of accessing climate financing from Multinational Development Banks (MDBs) and a lack of specialized staff for policy monitoring.
• Significant data gaps exist in Small Island Developing States (SIDS), characterized by inconsistent collection, inaccessible paper-based records, and a lack of data at the resolution required for small islands.
• National development plans and international commitments (such as COP28 Health Day and the Paris Agreement) provide critical opportunities to mainstream health into climate policy.
• The transition to renewable energy offers health co-benefits, such as reducing poverty through cheaper electricity and improving healthcare sustainability via solar-powered facilities.
• Proposed strategies for integration include adopting a 'climate in all policies' ethos, utilizing all-hazard approaches, and leveraging youth engagement to build political will.
• Specific regional success stories include Jamaica's Vision 2030, the Bahamas' multi-sectoral collaboration on Health National Adaptation Plans, Barbados' Water Reuse Act of 2023, and Guyana's solar-powered telehealth facilities.

APA

Gordon-Strachan, G., Greaves, N., Murphy, M., Maharaj, S., & McFarlane, S. (2025). Advancing Integration of Climate and Health Policies in the Caribbean. Center for Climate Change Communication. https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Advancing-Integration-of-Climate-and-Health-Policies-in-the-Caribbean.pdf

Chicago

Gordon-Strachan, Georgiana, Natalie Greaves, Madhuvanti Murphy, Sandeep Maharaj, and Shelly McFarlane. Advancing Integration of Climate and Health Policies in the Caribbean. Center for Climate Change Communication, 2025. https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Advancing-Integration-of-Climate-and-Health-Policies-in-the-Caribbean.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Gordon-Strachan |first1=Georgiana |last2=Greaves |first2=Natalie |last3=Murphy |first3=Madhuvanti |last4=Maharaj |first4=Sandeep |last5=McFarlane |first5=Shelly |title=Advancing Integration of Climate and Health Policies in the Caribbean |publisher=Center for Climate Change Communication |date=4 March 2025 |url=https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Advancing-Integration-of-Climate-and-Health-Policies-in-the-Caribbean.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{gordonstrachan2025advancing, author = {Gordon-Strachan, Georgiana and Greaves, Natalie and Murphy, Madhuvanti and Maharaj, Sandeep and McFarlane, Shelly}, title = {{Advancing Integration of Climate and Health Policies in the Caribbean}}, institution = {Center for Climate Change Communication}, year = {2025}, month = mar, url = {https://climatecommunication.gmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Advancing-Integration-of-Climate-and-Health-Policies-in-the-Caribbean.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }