Health consequences of climate change

We evaluate the impacts of climate change and migration patterns on population health in Bangladesh and ways in which populations can adapt.

Programme lead

Dr. S.M. Manzoor Ahmed Hanifi

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Our ‘Health consequences of climate change’ programme is a developmental research programme. As climate change is an issue of great importance to Bangladesh and other low-income countries, we plan to build our research capability in this area and generate evidence to support national, regional and global policy-making.

We have a long history of research on the links between climate and spread of infectious diseases, particularly cholera and mosquito-transmitted diseases such as malaria and dengue fever. In recent years we have been building our expertise in fields such as water engineering and environmental science. Our scientists are working on several studies of ecosystems and environmental drivers of poverty, land loss, migration to cities, salt contamination of drinking water, and related issues.  

Our expertise also includes social science. Our social scientists are participating in a major international interdisciplinary project, alongside experts in agriculture, fisheries, river flow dynamics, meteorology and climate change policy, which is examining impacts in low-lying river delta areas. We are providing social and economic data on livelihoods at household level in vulnerable areas, to support modelling of climate change impacts during the current century.

We have extensive experience of health and population research in Bangladesh, so are well placed to shape and inform discussions on responses to climate change. We will provide the Government of Bangladesh with regular updates on climate change in the country. We will also ensure that discussions are relevant to other countries facing similar challenges.