Climate Change, Migration and Health

We are an interdisciplinary research group examining the health impacts of climate change in low- and middle-income countries, with a particular focus on Africa, Asia, and Small Island Developing States. Our work spans climate change, migration and health; climate-resilient and low-carbon health systems; and climate change in humanitarian and fragile settings.

We focus on populations most vulnerable to climate-related risks, including displaced communities and those in contexts of environmental and health system stress. Through applied, policy-relevant research conducted with international partners, we generate evidence to support adaptation, strengthen resilience, and decouple emissions from development.

Our work matters because it advances practical, feasible, and sustainable solutions to improve population health in some of the world’s most at-risk settings.

We are an interdisciplinary research group examining the health impacts of climate change in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with a particular focus on Africa, Asia, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

Our work spans three core areas: climate change, migration and health; climate- resilient and low-carbon health systems; and climate change in humanitarian health response. We focus on populations most vulnerable to climate-related risks, including displaced communities, those in fragile and conflict affected settings, and health systems under pressure from environmental change.

Through applied, policy-relevant research conducted with international partners, we aim to generate evidence that supports adaptation, strengthens health system resilience, and decouples emissions from development. Our contribution to global health lies in advancing practical, feasible and sustainable solutions that respond to climate and health challenges in some of the world’s most at-risk settings.

Climate change, migration and health: examining how climate factors shape mobility, health risks, and health system responses.
Climate-resilient and low-carbon health systems: developing and evaluating strategies to strengthen resilience while reducing emissions.
Climate change in humanitarian health response: improving adaptation and mitigation in emergency and fragile settings.
Strengthening scientific integrity and open scholarship: advancing viewpoint diversity, open inquiry, constructive dissent, and evidence-based practice to support rigorous and independent research and education.

Berrang-Ford, L., Siders, A. R., Lesnikowski, A., Fischer, A. P., Callaghan, M. W., Haddaway, N. R., Mach, K. J., Nayna Schwerdtle, P., Araos, M., Shah, M. A., Wannewitz, M., & Doshi, D. (2021). A systematic global stocktake of evidence on human adaptation to climate change. Nature Climate Change, 11(11), 989–1000. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-021-01170-y
Shaw, E., Walpole, S., McLean, M., Alvarez-Nieto, C., Barna, S., Bazin, K., Behrens, G., Chase, H., Duane, B., Nayna Schwerdtle, P., El Omrani, O., Elf, M., et al. (2021). AMEE consensus statement: Planetary health and education for sustainable healthcare. Medical Teacher, 43(3), 272–286. https://doi.org/10.1080/0142159X.2020.1860207
Nayna Schwerdtle, P. (2024). Liberal vs. critical: Diverging paths in humanitarian aid and global health. In Humanitarian myths and hubris (pp. 157–176). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003542247-16
Nayna Schwerdtle, P., Woodward, A., McLeman, R., Marcus, H., & McMichael, C. (2026). Framing climate change, migration, and health as a syndemic. The Lancet Planetary Health. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanplh.2026.101443
Scheelbeek, P. F., Dangour, A. D., Jarmul, S., Turner, G., Sietsma, A. J., Minx, J. C., Callaghan, M., Ajibade, I., Austin, S. E., Biesbroek, R., Nayna Schwerdtle, P., et al. (2021). The effects on public health of climate change adaptation responses: A systematic review of evidence from low- and middle-income countries. Environmental Research Letters, 16(7), 073001. https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ac092c
Belesova, K., Zabré, P., Opata, M., Sie, A., Sauerborn, R., Nayna Schwerdtle, P., & Rocklöv, J. (2026). Field to flight: Migration dynamics amidst climate-driven crop yield fluctuations in Burkina Faso. PLOS Climate, 5(3), e0000832. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pclm.0000832
Nayna Schwerdtle, P., Bowen, K., & McMichael, C. (2018). The health impacts of climate-related migration. BMC Medicine, 16(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-017-0981-7

Climate-Resilient and Environmentally Sustainable Health Systems in LMICs

An applied research programme focused on strengthening health system resilience to climate change while decoupling emissions from health systems strengthening and universal health coverage (UHC). Implemented with partners including the Climate Action Accelerator, ALIMA, Keele University and Stellenbosch University across Chad, South Africa, Ghana, Malawi, and Kenya.

Lancet Commission on Climate Change, Migration and Health

Contributing to global evidence and policy on climate-related mobility and health, including work with the European Hub and input to the forthcoming WHO Global Report on Climate Change, Migration and Health.

Best Buys for Climate Change and Health

A policy-focused initiative with the World Bank, KfW, WHO ATACH (Alliance for Transformative Action on Climate Change and Health). Leading the State of the Evidence workstream to identify high-impact, cost-effective interventions for climate and health in LMICs. Active contribution to global efforts advancing climate-resilient and low-carbon health systems through research, policy engagement, and technical collaboration.

Scholarly Practice and Academic Culture (Writers Group)

Engagement in interdisciplinary work on scientific integrity, academic norms, and research culture, including participation in an international writers group advancing open inquiry, viewpoint diversity, and rigorous scholarship.