Adapting to Climate-Related Health Risks: The Economic Case for Climate Services for Health

This exploratory analysis by the World Resources Institute estimates that investing in climate services for health (CSfH) yields economic returns between US$3.60 and $68.40 per dollar invested. Despite modest funding requirements—estimated at $12–$18 million annually for a median-sized developing country—these tools remain underfunded and underused, with only 23% of surveyed WMO Member States integrating meteorological data into health surveillance.

• The economic returns for investing in "climate services for health" (CSfH)—defined as the production and application of climate knowledge to improve health decisions and services—are estimated to be between US$3.60 and $68.40 for every dollar invested. This range is attributed to varying assumptions regarding effectiveness, scale, and risk, though returns remain strong even in worst-case scenarios. The analysis notes that funding requirements are modest compared to the value of lives saved.
• For a median-sized developing country, the average annual investment needs for CSfH are estimated to be between $12 million and $18 million.
• There is a significant gap in the integration of meteorological data into health systems, with only 23 percent of surveyed WMO Member States doing so. Such integration is critical for managing climate-related diseases like heatstroke, cholera, diarrhea, dengue, and malaria, which primarily impact vulnerable populations. Implementing these services is described as a complex, interdisciplinary task requiring collaboration across research, planning, health, and hydrometeorological institutions.

APA

World Resources Institute (2026). Adapting to Climate-Related Health Risks: The Economic Case for Climate Services for Health. https://www.wri.org/research/adapting-to-climate-related-health-risks

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Adapting to Climate-Related Health Risks: The Economic Case for Climate Services for Health. 2026. https://www.wri.org/research/adapting-to-climate-related-health-risks.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Adapting to Climate-Related Health Risks: The Economic Case for Climate Services for Health |date=12 May 2026 |url=https://www.wri.org/research/adapting-to-climate-related-health-risks |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitute2026adapting, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Adapting to Climate-Related Health Risks: The Economic Case for Climate Services for Health}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, year = {2026}, month = may, url = {https://www.wri.org/research/adapting-to-climate-related-health-risks}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }