What if health workers had a voice in global funding priorities for climate change and health?

#Global survey gathers health worker insights on climate change impacts

Teach to Reach’s health leaders met today to share feedback and insights to strengthen are contributing the climate-health risks and barriers survey initiative developed by The Geneva Learning Foundation (TGLF) with Grand Challenges Canada (GCC).

Teach to Reach, a peer learning platform that connects over 20,000 health professionals from 70 countries, provided the initial testing ground for the survey. The platform brings together frontline health workers, district managers, and national planners to share experiences and solutions across borders, with 80% of participants working at district and facility levels.

Survey pilots shape future global climate and health funding

The Geneva Learning Foundation hosted a special consultation on January 8, 2025, to debrief findings from a pilot survey that will inform future funding for climate-driven health crises. The survey aims to gather frontline perspectives to guide evidence-based investment prioritization in climate-sensitive health risks and health system barriers.

The pilot phase collected 306 responses from health leaders participating in Teach to Reach 11, a global peer learning platform that connects health professionals working at all levels of health systems across borders.

Global launch and reach

Dr. Joanna Sanchez, Climate and Health Lead at GCC, announced the full survey will launch on January 15, 2025, in multiple languages. The survey will be distributed through major global networks including WHO, multilateral organizations, ministries of health, and health professional associations.

“We are excited to hear what those at the front lines of this challenge are thinking, what the perceptions are, what the ideas are,” said Dr. Sanchez. “This will inform research, policy, funding, and where we can work together globally on solutions.”

Survey focus and structure

The survey explores three key areas:

Observable climate changes in communities

Health impacts of these changes

Barriers to protecting community health

The survey has been carefully designed to be accessible to respondents across different education levels while maintaining scientific rigor. Questions focus on recent experiences within the past two years to ensure reliable recall, with opportunities to consider future challenges over the next decade.

Early insights from pilot phase

Survey statistician John Wagai gave a brief presentatino of preliminary analysis showing respondent diversity and strong African participation. The African region is the most-impacted region with the least research and evidence available.

Stakeholder feedback shapes improvements

Health leaders provided valuable input for enhancing the survey’s effectiveness:

Lilian Mutua, head of health promotion for Nairobi City County, Kenya, emphasized the interconnected nature of impacts: “When we look at climate change...it was not only about health. We had destruction of environments, inaccessibility to health services...We also had issues of mental health.”

Sabatu Elizabeth Danladi, founder of African Hope for Community Progress Initiative in Nigeria, highlighted food security concerns: “Most farmers are facing challenges, difficulty to feed because farmlands are washed away by flood...This poses a threat to nutrition of children and pregnant women.”

Next steps and timeline

The survey will remain open for six weeks after its January launch. Results will help Grand Challenges Canada and partners create new funding opportunities for local solutions to climate-driven health challenges.

The findings will undergo expert analysis in spring 2025, with results expected to be presented at Climate Week or the United Nations General Assembly in September 2025. This will be followed by the launch of a new grand challenge funding call focused on identified priorities.

Commitment to community engagement

The Geneva Learning Foundation emphasized its commitment to sharing findings back with participants. As the Foundation’s Executive Director, Reda Sadki, explained: “If we ask you for information...our commitment is to give back and to make sure you are closely involved in the process that is ultimately about you and the communities that you serve.”

This initiative represents a significant step in connecting global funding decisions with ground-level realities faced by health workers as they confront climate change impacts on community health. By engaging frontline perspectives, the survey aims to ensure future investments address the most pressing needs of affected communities.