The Global Syndemic of Obesity, Undernutrition and Climate Change

Climate change and non-communicable diseases are two sweeping global health challenges that share an underlying lack of urgency, political will, strengthened action, and accountability. ACCESS Health Southeast Asia’s former intern, Lavanya Prakash, proposed a solution, based on the Lancet Commission’s piece “The Global Syndemic of Obesity, Undernutrition and Climate Change”. Her report calls for an innovative solution, a syndemic approach that brings health and non-health sectors to address the underlying commercial, social and environmental determinants of noncommunicable disease. Lavanya calls for a “a paradigm shift in the way we as civil society, development agencies, healthcare professionals and everyone in-between view and develop healthcare policy – which is to serve not only humanity but also the planet.”

Consider downloading and reading Lavanya’s report by clicking HERE or visit the websites of some local and international organizations adopting the planetary health approach in tackling health and environmental crises: Planetary Health Alliance, Health in Harmony, PM Haze, Centre for A Responsible Future, Water.Org