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Climate Resilience in Polio Eradication: Integrating Environmental and Gender Strategies to End a Deadly Disease

SpeakerS:

Oscar Lopez III, Youth Observer to the United Nations, UNA-USA
Edwige Fortier, Head, Global Health Multilateral Advocacy & Resource Mobilization, Gates Foundation
Michael J. Nyenhuis, President & CEO, UNICEF USA
Michele Berg, Deputy General Secretary, Rotary International

With Lead Programming Partner

“Hello everybody, as many of you all know, the climate crisis has created a number of pervasive challenges in myriad areas—from access to healthcare to educational opportunities—including in my own hometown of Loro, Texas. That's why I'm excited today to moderate this conversation on climate resilience in polio eradication and how we could integrate environmental and gender strategies to end this deadly disease.” Oscar Lopez III
“We are maybe not as close as we hoped we would be right now to eradication, but we're close, and this would be just an amazing accomplishment in humanity to rid the country of polio, and we need to stay with it and stay focused on it.” Michael J. Nyenhuis
“Our recent research has really shown how interested young people are in climate change, and that has caused us to expand our efforts in the environment, and we've added an area of focus in the environment recently.” Michele Berg
“To eradicate disease, you only need two things: innovation and financing.” Edwige Fortier

Key takeaways:

  • Climate change exacerbates polio challenges: Climate change intensifies the difficulty of eradicating polio by impacting health systems and increasing the risk of outbreaks due to factors like flooding and poor sanitation, highlighting the need for climate resilience in  eradication efforts.
  • Strengthening health systems: Polio eradication efforts contribute to building resilient health systems through improved vaccine development, procurement, logistics, cold chain systems, community education, and training health workers, which are vital for overall public health. 
  • Critical role of innovation and tech: Innovative solutions such as solar-powered refrigerators for vaccine storage and enhanced environmental surveillance are essential for maintaining vaccine efficacy and monitoring of polio virus transmission in water sources and sewage. 
  • Inadequate financing hinders progress: Insufficient funding for climate change interventions and resilient health systems hampers progress, necessitating greater financial investments for polio eradication and climate adaptation within health initiatives. 
  • Collaboration across multiple sectors: Successful polio eradication amidst climate change requires cooperation across sectors, including environmental science and public health, to effectively address the complex challenges. 
  • Youth engagement is vital: Involving young people in polio eradication efforts fosters energy, creativity, and community engagement, which are crucial for sustaining health initiatives in the context of climate challenges. 
  • Maintaining focus on polio eradication: Amid various global issues such as climate change and conflicts, it is imperative to keep polio eradication at the forefront to achieve the goal of complete elimination of the disease. 

Action items:

  • Invest in climate-resilient health infrastructure: Allocate resources to strengthen health facilities and supply chains to withstand climate-related disruptions, ensuring uninterrupted vaccination and healthcare services. 
  • Secure increased funding: Advocate for enhanced financial support from governments, organizations, and stakeholders to fund polio eradication programs that also build resilient health systems capable of adapting to climate change. 
  • Implement innovative technologies: Adopt solutions like solar-powered equipment for vaccine storage and advanced environmental surveillance systems to improve vaccination efficacy and monitor polio virus transmission effectively. 
  • Promote multi-sector collaboration: Foster partnerships between health organizations, environmental agencies, gender advocates, and communities to develop integrated strategies addressing both polio eradication and climate resilience. 
  • Enhance community education: Strengthen efforts to educate communities about the importance of polio vaccination and climate resilience, leveraging local leaders and volunteers to increase awareness and participation.
  • Support youth participation: Create platforms and opportunities for youth involvement in polio eradication initiatives, recognizing their role in advocating for change and driving innovative solutions. 
  • Maintain focus and commitment: Keep polio eradication as a central priority despite other pressing global challenges, ensuring sustained efforts and resources are dedicated until eradication is achieved. 

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