Public Health Responses to Climate Extremes in the South Pacific Islands: A Case of Fiji

Abstract

Climate extremes (CE) are on the rise; these include, but are not limited to, floods, extreme heat, and drought.. The Pacific Islands are perceived as highly susceptible to climate events and their consequential health impacts. Hence, this paper reviews the public health responses from national stakeholders and international organizations in the phase of climate extremes in Fiji. Notable health issues resulting from CE emphasized in this article include: dengue fever, diarrhea, and nutrition-related diseases. Data cutting across renowned international organizations show a disconcerting association between climatic extremities and an upsurge in dengue fever and diarrhea in Fiji. Also, this article revealed that CE create favourable breeding grounds for vectors that contaminate water sources, further affecting agriculture, leading to food insecurity. Hence, Consequent, CE intensifies the prevalence of nutrition-related diseases, disrupting an already fragile public health sector in Fiji. This article identifies a critical gap in the existing health response strategies, revealing their inefficiency in addressing the mounting long-term health challenges of victims of climatic disasters. To bridge this gap, an encompassing health response mechanism was suggested. They include: establishment of enhanced health surveillance to effectively monitor and manage climate-induced health risks; integration of degree programs such as disaster medicine, humanitarian studies, and mental health psychology into university’s course syllabus; provision of mental health and trauma support programs to address the psychological strain induced by climate-related disasters; mapping of disaster-prone areas; and the introduction of public health education to disaster-prone areas.