Intervention research to protect human health in the era of climate extremes

TL;DR

This editorial highlights the urgent need for research on how to protect human health from extreme weather events caused by climate change.

Contribution

The paper calls for focused research on the effectiveness, feasibility, and desirability of climate adaptation interventions for human health.

Findings

Climate change is increasing extreme weather events, threatening human health globally.

More research is needed on how to effectively implement climate adaptation interventions.

Low- and middle-income countries are especially vulnerable and require targeted solutions.

Abstract

Climate change is accelerating the frequency and severity of extreme weather events and increasingly threatening human health and life, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Research on the effectiveness of climate adaptation interventions for human health, as well as their desirability, implementation, and financial viability, are urgently required.

In this Editorial, PLOS Medicine Editor-in-Chief Till Bärnighausen and Executive Editor Helen Lumbard outline how climate change and associated extreme weather events are threatening human health, and call for research on the effectiveness of climate adaptation interventions.