SG-02

PROJECT INFORMATION

Evaluation of public health institutional capacity to respond to the demand for services related to climate change. Case study: Arbovirosis in two Latin American regions vulnerable to climate change, Argentina and Guatemala

Principal investigator (PI):

Gustavo Estrada, Universidad Rafael Landívar, Guatemala

E-mail: gaestrada@url.edu.gt 

Phone: +(502) 2 426 262 6 Ext. 3272

Duration & funding:

(November  2023–2024) USD 30,000

Co-funding offered

USD 13,200

Participating countries: 

Guatemala and Argentina

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The effects of climate change have implications beyond the context of environment and climate in Latin America. They also have repercussions on public institutions, including weakened public health systems. The health risks arising from the effects of climate change test the response capacity of health services. In this work, we will measure and evaluate Public Health's institutional capacity in response to climate change-related diseases. Particularly, we will co-create the conceptual and analytical framework, develop a measurement instrument, and identify weakened areas within the institution. The work will be carried out in two regions of Latin America: Guatemala and Argentina. As a case study, we will select Arboviruses, since both countries suffer increases in their incidences and, therefore, a greater demand for the health services involved. However, both countries are going through different stages of the disease: endemic for Guatemala and emerging for Argentina. This work will be carried out through a transdisciplinary methodology with the participation of other sectors in co-creating scientific evidence. This evidence will be a fundamental tool to identify strategies and recommendations that strengthen institutional capacity in response to a growing demand for Arbovirus care in Latin America.