The Lancet Countdown works to ensure that health is at the centre of how decision makers understand and respond to climate change. Through high-quality scientific data, we work to inform policies that can maximise the health benefits of climate action, and enable a world in which all populations can thrive.
Our Background
The 2015 Lancet Commission’s conclusion – that ‘tackling climate change could be the greatest global health opportunity of the 21st century’ highlighted the need for a global monitoring system with the ability to engage policymakers and support health professionals.
In 2016 the Lancet Countdown: Tracking Progress on Health and Climate Change was formed to address this gap, beginning with a public consultation to identify key areas to track and monitor. The collaboration recognises that health should be at the centre of how governments and decision makers understand and respond to climate change, to maximise the human benefits of a robust response.
Publishing annually in The Lancet, with strategic and financial support from the Wellcome Trust, The Lancet Countdown is hosted by University College London, and works with almost 300 leading researchers from around the world to track and understand the evolving links between climate change and people’s health.
279
leading experts
112
collaborating institutions
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regional centres
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization
“This year’s Lancet Countdown report highlights how the health impacts of climate change are increasing globally, costing lives and livelihoods. WHO joins the report’s call for transformative action to reduce air pollution and increase health equity.”
Dr Richard Horton, Editor-in-Chief of The Lancet
“This is the best report ever from the Lancet Countdown and I really sincerely mean that. This is the only independent accountability mechanism that exists for health and the climate crisis and that’s a really important fact and reality.”
Dr Maria Neira, Director for Environment, Climate Change and Health at the World Health Organization
“WHO is very pleased to contribute to this critical report, highlighting trends, and playing a key role in shaping urgent responses to address the pressing challenges posed by the health and climate crisis.”
Wellcome is a financially and politically independent global charitable foundation established in 1936. It supports science to solve the urgent health issues facing everyone, bringing together expertise across science innovation, and society to develop solutions to address three of the biggest health challenges facing humanity – climate change, infectious disease and mental health. The Climate and Health program seeks to generate the health evidence for policy action that protects health from climate change.
Learn more: www.wellcome.org
Founded by Thomas Wakley in 1823, The Lancet began as an independent, international weekly general medical journal with the vision that it should drive social and political change through advancing medical research and science for the greater good. Since its founding, the journal has evolved to include over 20 titles that are part of The Lancet Group while retaining the core belief that medicine must serve society, that knowledge must transform society, and that the best science must lead to better lives.
Learn more: www.thelancet.com
